Cary Living magazine January February 2022 by Midtown, 5 West, Triangle Family

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2022 DIAMOND AWARD WINNERS HOLISTIC FITNESS 6 WINTER SOUPS TO SAVOR 13 BRAIN-BOOSTING FOODS WELLNESS Q&A CARY | APEX | 010222CL_CoverA.indd 1

MORRISVILLE

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2022

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EDITOR’S LET T ER

Brian Mullins

hen you think of achieving optimal health, do you take a holistic approach or separate mind from body? We pondered this while planning stories for our annual health and fitness issue, and thought, why not combine the two? Taking a whole-body approach is smart, efficient, and reaps more benefits than your brain or body may realize. “Holistic Fitness” on page 36 dives into the connection between mental and physical health, and offers suggestions for how you can exercise your mind and body at the same time. Why not make nourishing your noggin a priority when organizing your 2022 health improvement plan as well? On page 42, discover 13 “Brain-Boosting Foods.” (Yes, red wine and dark chocolate are on the list!) Speaking of nourishment, you’ll find six winter soups perfected by local chefs in “Soups to Savor” on page 48. From a truly “French” French onion soup to a Lebanese chicken soup, try your hand at making one—or all six—of these warm delights. We also address parental health in this issue—namely, the importance of one-on-one parent-child communication. Find out why making small talk with your child at an early age can make a big difference in “Intentional Interactions” on page 54. Longtime Holly Springs residents Blake and Katie Zalcberg knew their town was ready for an acclaimed restaurant of its own. It just so happened they knew a pair who could help them bring such a restaurant to life. On page 64, discover why Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi has claimed “neighborhood restaurant” status throughout Holly Springs. A few years ago, Cary Regional Library outgrew its original location. So in fall 2019, a much larger facility opened across the street that operates with more advanced technology. Turn to page 66 to find out how this longtime community staple is able to offer more of everything in its new location. Meet a few North Carolina Master Chorale volunteer singers on page 70. Discover what keeps them coming back to choir practice and why this talented group has become so important to them. Last but certainly not least, we present our 2022 Diamond Awards on page 19. Readers throughout our community voted for their favorite businesses, services and venues. Take a look to see if yours made the list, and while you’re there, make note of a few new ones to check out! We’re excited for what 2022 brings and hope you are ready to jump on this roller coaster with us. We remain dedicated to publishing meaningful stories about the amazing people, places and events throughout Western Wake County and want you, our readers, to know that you are a part of the unique chemistry that makes this region so special. Cheers to you, and cheers to 2022!

Beth Shugg, Editor

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Cary Living magazine is published six times annually. Any reproduction in part or in whole of any part of this publication is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher. Copyright 2022. All rights reserved. Cary Living magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photography, or art. Unsolicited material is welcome and is considered intended for publication. Such material becomes property of the magazine and is subject to editing. Cary Living magazine will not knowingly accept any real estate advertising in violation of U.S. equal opportunity law.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

6 print issues (1 year) Available online at caryliving.com 4818-204 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609 Phone: 919.782.4710 Fax: 919.782.4763

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CONTENTS J A N UA RY / F E B R UA RY

202 2

Brian Mullins

Bruce DeBoer

F E AT U R E S

DIAMOND AWARDS

Discover Western Wake’s best businesses, ser vices

and venues—chosen by you

HOLISTIC FITNESS

Exercise your mind and body—at the same time

BRAIN-BOOSTING FOODS

13 ways to nourish and improve cognitive function

6 SOUPS TO SAVOR

Local chefs perfect winter’s principal meal

INTENTIONAL INTERACTIONS

How one-on-one communication enriches

your child’s brain

ON THE COVER:

2 0 2 2

Mevans/Getty Images

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Ring in the New Year with the Premier Periodontal Practice of the Triangle Drs. Aakash Mehandru, Justin Valentine, Michael Stella, Reinaldo Deliz-Guzman and Michael Kretchmer are committed

to providing you with excellent periodontal and surgical care in a comfortable environment. Our friendly, knowledgeable

team will address every question and concern. Your oral health needs, goals, and priorities are the focus of your customized treatment plan. We want to work with you to create the beautiful, healthy smile of your dreams. In its 20th year of providing

conservative, compassionate care, Tar Heel Periodontics has been the leader in providing world class continuing education for dentists in the Triangle. If you are new to the area and have found a new general dentist, they most likely have attended our courses. Our doctors enjoy giving back in dentistry, which includes teaching at Adams UNC School of Dentistry and volunteering at Wake

Smiles Dental Clinic and the UNC Student Health Action Coalition. Our doctors have also served as presidents of both major local dental societies, covering the entire Triangle.

Tar Heel Periodontics also supports local sports teams in North Carolina. We are proud partners of the Durham Bulls, and North Carolina FC and NC Courage soccer teams.

Phone: 919-844-7140 Fax: 919-303-8488 info@tarheelperio.com www.tarheelperio.com @tarheelperio Founded in 2002

5 OFFICE LOCATIONS 10931 Strickland Rd.

600 Doctor Calvin Jones Hwy.

3100 NC Hwy. 55

245 E NC Hwy. 54

1235 US Hwy. 70 Garner, NC 27529

Suite 101

#112

Suite 203

Raleigh, NC 27615

Wake Forest, NC 27587

Cary, NC 27519

Durham, NC 27713

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CONTENTS J A N UA RY / F E B R UA RY

2 0 2 2

MASH Photography

D E PARTM E NT S

C H E F ’ S TA B L E

Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi is a restaurant Holly Springs can call its own

C O MMU NI T Y

MU S I C

North Carolina Master Chorale

Josh Manning

Cary Regional Library comes of age

The North Carolina Master Chorale’s volunteer singers deliver professional vocal performances

I N E VE RY I SSU E

O N T H E S C E NE

Social Scene ǀ Home Styler ǀ Sister Cities

O U T & A BO U T

Events ǀ Dine & Draft ǀ New Around Town | Sightings

KA L E I D O S C O P E

S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T 58

H Y D R AT E M E D I C A L WELLNESS Q&A

TA R H E E L P E R I O D O N T I C S

CAMP GUIDE

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251 KEISLER DRIVE, SUITE 201 | CARY, NC 27518 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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ONtheSCENE

SOCIAL SCENE

HOME STYLER

Showcasing the beauty and artistry of the Chinese culture, the Chinese Lantern Festival returned to Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary in November. The event runs through January 9.

Fuquay-Varina phenom Sarah Strong, a sophomore at Grace Christian School in Sanford, is ranked one of the top five best women’s players in the country. Photo courtesy of the Strong Center

SISTER CITIES

Hot cocoa (with extra whipped cream, of course) and a festive atmosphere at Thanks A Latte Coffee & Gift Boutique sets the mood for a day of holiday gift shopping in Holly Springs.

The Apex Christmas parade—held in the evening—brings small-town nostalgia to Salem Street.

TE X T A N D PHOTOS BY M E LIS S A W I ST EH U FF (Unless otherwise noted)

Get Social With Us!

caryliving.com

@ carylivingmag

@ caryliving

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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ONtheSCENE

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HOME STYLER

SISTER CITIES

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Your bonus room is all about possibilities. Whether it serves as an office, guest room or play space, all it takes is some imagination, innovation and style to make this multipurpose

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3 1. Skittle Bottle Mini, $32.95 | NOFO @ the Pig 2. Beatrix planter, $67 | City Garden Design 3. Cotton canvas storage bin, $30 | Stylish Living 4. Chelsea dresser, $2,194 | Steven Shell Living 5. Brown or black leather coasters, $26 for a set of four or $42 for a set of six | Designed for Joy

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SOCIAL SCENE

ONtheSCENE

HOME STYLER

TASTES OF THE CITY

SISTER CITIES

BATTLE FOR TOBACCO ROAD

As two of the country’s most prominent cities in college sports, Durham and Chapel Hill suffer from a serious case of sibling rivalry DURHAM Home to half of one of the most storied men’s college basketball rivalries, Durham is synonymous with the Duke University Blue Devils. Coach Mike Krzyzewski has led the men’s basketball team there for more than four decades. While 2022 is “Coach K’s” last season before entering retirement, one thing is certain: The two most prominent names in Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball will continue to clash for years to come. Fans may flock to Cameron Indoor Stadium, but Durham offers far more than basketball. Duke University’s prestigious education and world-renowned hospital attract the best and brightest of their fields, while the Research Triangle Park—headquartered in Durham— draws both large corporations and startup ventures. Durham Performing Arts Center accommodates Broadway shows and concerts, and sports fans who prefer America’s “favorite pastime” can head to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park to cheer on the Tampa Bay Rays Triple-A affiliate. Hike through beautiful scenery at Eno River State Park, and feel far removed from big-city hustle on the American Tobacco Trail— whether you are cycling, hiking, running or horseback riding. Photo credits, from left to right. Top row: Kim Underwood, Morehead Planetarium, Laurie Cornelius. Bottom row: Red Moon Rise/Getty Images, Durham Perfoming Arts Center, Ryan Herron/Getty Images.

BY M E LIS S A W I ST EH U FF

CHAPEL HILL Like its neighbor, Chapel Hill is home to one of the country’s best universities and hospitals, and the University of North Carolina’s men’s basketball program also enjoys legendary status. Home games are played in the “Dean Dome”—named after longtime, famed coach Dean Smith—and wins are commemorated on nearby Franklin Street. Roy Williams, another Carolina coaching legend, celebrated his retirement last April, and former player Hubert Davis has taken the helm. Since UNC claims bragging rights over Duke with six national titles (to Duke’s five), there likely won’t be an end to the Tobacco Road rivalry any time soon. The university’s Morehead Planetarium & Science Center opened in 1949 and is named after John Motley Morehead III, who graduated from UNC–Chapel Hill in 1891 and was widely known as a successful businessman and chemist due to his role in founding Union Carbide Corporation. Two additional gems—the North Carolina Botanical Garden and Ackland Art Museum—expand the town’s natural, art and cultural offerings. Alternatively, you can spend the day surrounded by goats, pigs and horses at Spring Haven Farm, a popular country family outing destination. Enjoy a visit to both cities, but remember this: March Madness is on the horizon. Which shade of blue will you choose—Carolina or Blue Devil?

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THE BEST OF WESTERN WAKE READERS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY VOTED FOR THEIR FAVORITE BUSINESSES, SERVICES AND VENUES. NOW WE PRESENT TO YOU THE GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE WINNERS! TAKE A LOOK TO SEE IF YOUR FAVORITES MADE THE LIST. WHILE YOU’RE THERE, MAKE A NOTE OF NEW BUSINESSES YOU’D LIKE TO CHECK OUT. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR WINNERS! JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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HEALTH and BEAUTY BEST HAIR SALON GOLD: Von Kekel AVEDA Salon Spa SILVER: Bebe Ellis Salon BRONZE: JF Gemelli BEST MANI-PEDI GOLD: Tre Nail Spa SILVER: Pacific Nail Spa BRONZE: Harmony Nails & Spa BEST BROW AND LASH SERVICES GOLD: SKinFluent SILVER: Avail Aesthetics BRONZE: Chandni’s Spa & Brows BEST YOGA AND PILATES STUDIO GOLD: Pura Vida Studio SILVER: CorePower Yoga BRONZE: Republic of Yoga BEST FITNESS CLUB AND GYM GOLD: Life Time Fitness SILVER: Wyatt’s World BRONZE: Rush Cycle BEST SPA EXPERIENCE GOLD: The Umstead Hotel and Spa SILVER: Avail Aesthetics BRONZE: SKinFluent BEST PLACE TO GET A MASSAGE GOLD: Cary Massage SILVER: The Umstead Hotel and Spa BRONZE: Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa BEST MED SPA GOLD: Avail Aesthetics SILVER: Chrysalis Med Centre BRONZE: Azura Skin Care Center BEST PLACE TO DE-AGE GOLD: Avail Aesthetics SILVER: Chrysalis Med Centre BRONZE: Azura Skin Care Center BEST PLACE FOR SUNLESS TANNING GOLD: Jill’s Beach SILVER: Alietha’s Sunkissed Tans BRONZE: Sun Tan City BEST DENTIST GOLD: Preston Dental Loft SILVER: Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry BRONZE: TIE – Lane & Associates Family Dentistry Signature Smiles Wake Dental Care BEST ORTHODONTIST GOLD: Bovenizer & Baker Orthodontics SILVER: Ritter Brogden Orthodontics Bronze: TIE – Foley Orthodontics Fritz & Wilson Orthodontics Zaytoun Orthodontics

BEST FAMILY DOCTOR GOLD: Duke Health SILVER: UNC Health BRONZE: TIE – Carolina Family Practice & Sports Medicine Cary Medical Group BEST OB-GYN GOLD: Triangle Physicians for Women SILVER: Capital Area OB/GYN BRONZE: Cary OB/GYN BEST PEDIATRICIAN GOLD: Cornerstone Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine SILVER: Cary Pediatric Center BRONZE: Jeffers, Mann & Artman Pediatrics BEST PSYCHOLOGIST OR PSYCHIATRIST GOLD: Foundations4Change SILVER: Horizon Integrated Wellness Group BRONZE: Toby DeWitt, M.D. BEST CHIROPRACTOR GOLD: Staker Chiropractic Center SILVER: The Joint Chiropractic BRONZE: TIE – Chiropractic Partners Triangle Chiropractic

SHOPPING BEST FLORIST GOLD: Preston Flowers SILVER: The Flower Cupboard BRONZE: TIE – Cary Florist Watered Garden Florist BEST SHOPPING CENTER GOLD: Park West Village SILVER: Waverly Place BRONZE: Crabtree Valley Mall BEST FURNITURE AND HOME DÉCOR STORE/FIRM GOLD: The Perfect Piece SILVER: Cooper’s Furniture BRONZE: Max Hugo Interior Design BEST GARDEN CENTER GOLD: Garden Supply Company SILVER: Fairview Garden Center BRONZE: Atlantic Gardening Company BEST PET STORE BRONZE: Unleashed, the Dog and Cat Store SILVER: Phydeaux BRONZE: Pet Mania BEST JEWELRY STORE GOLD: Johnson’s Jewelers of Cary SILVER: Holland’s Jewelers BRONZE: TIE – Bailey’s Fine Jewelry JM Edwards Jewelry

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2022

DIAMOND

AWARD BEST HAIR SALON

Congratulations to Bebe Ellis, Winner of

BEST SALON & HAIR SPA 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022 Bebe Ellis is an AVEDA salon with media recognition for its Expert Color Services and Precision Cutting Techniques.

COLOR SERVICES Balayage ⅼ Foilyage ⅼ Ombre ⅼ Highlights ⅼ Lowlights ⅼ Glazes

Retouches and Dimensional Color Transformations ⅼ Precision Cutting Services including Layers (long & short) ⅼ Bobs ⅼ Under Cuts ⅼ Pixies Specialty Razor cuts ⅼ Curly cuts

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Bebe Ellis Salon's reservation team will help you choose the best Artist for all of your hair care needs. CALL TODAY! Check out their work on Instagram, Facebook and Google

742 SLASH PINE DRIVE, CARY ⅼ 919.371.2411 ⅼ BebeEllisSalon.com 010222CL_FEATURES.indd 21

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BEST HAIR SALON – RALEIGH

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RALEIGH 4209-114 LASSITER MILL ROAD 919.782.0808 / CARY 2230 WALNUT STREET 919.859.0888

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2022

DIAMOND

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SHOPPING BEST FLORIST GOLD: Preston Flowers SILVER: The Flower Cupboard BRONZE: TIE – Cary Florist Watered Garden Florist

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I am currently doing Invisalign with Preston Dental and honestly, I’ve never been so excited to go to the dentist. Providing Netflix and aromatic neck pillows is really just the icing on the already sweet cake that is Preston Dental! And to think I found them because of an Instagram ad?! - Katie K.

Dr. Patel has been providing beautiful confident smiles for more than a decade and is dedicated to her mission to make a lasting difference in people’s lives.

Both times I’ve walked into this dental office I heard laughter and great music. Dr. Meenal Patel is the best dentist I’ve ever been to, and she and her staff are amazing. Today I spent over three hours in the dentist chair—which was also a massage chair— and it was a pleasant experience. - Joe L.

Preston Dental Loft

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BEST PLACE TO BUY WEDDING RINGS GOLD: Diamonds Direct SILVER: TIE – Holland’s Jewelers Johnson’s Jewelers of Cary BRONZE: Bailey’s Fine Jewelry

BEST LANDSCAPER GOLD: Mr. Mow It All SILVER: City Garden Design BRONZE: TIE – Agape Lawn Co. Garden Supply Company

BEST WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE UNDER AGE 35 GOLD: Swagger SILVER: Bless Your Heart Boutique BRONZE: Vestique

BEST HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE GOLD: Best Clean Ever SILVER: Dust and Mop BRONZE: Cenaida’s House Cleaning

BEST WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE AGE 35+ GOLD: Swagger SILVER: Bless Your Heart Boutique BRONZE: TIE – Pink Magnolia Boutique Possibilities

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

BEST MEN’S BOUTIQUE GOLD: Gentlemen’s Corner SILVER: Alexander Eton BRONZE: TIE – JoS. A. Bank Liles Clothing Studio BEST RESALE AND CONSIGNMENT CLOTHING STORE GOLD: J’Adore SILVER: Dorcas Ministries Thrift Shop BRONZE: TIE – dress. The Perfect Piece Uptown Cheapskate BEST WOMEN’S SHOE STORE GOLD: DSW SILVER: Nordstrom BRONZE: Swagger

HOME SERVICES BEST REAL ESTATE TEAM GOLD: Keller Williams Realty SILVER: M&M Team Realty/eXp Realty BRONZE: Coldwell Banker BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT GOLD: Nancy Grace of Keller Williams Legacy SILVER: Rocio Rojas of Fathom Realty BRONZE: Rita Walia of Dash Carolina BEST NEW HOME COMMUNITY GOLD: Carolina Preserve at Amberly (Cary) SILVER: 12 Oaks (Holly Springs) BRONZE: Sweetwater (Apex) BEST RETIREMENT LIVING GOLD: Carolina Preserve at Amberly (Cary) SILVER: Glenaire (Cary) BRONZE: TIE – Cambridge Village of Apex (Apex) Searstone (Cary) BEST BUILDER GOLD: Poythress Homes SILVER: Loyd Builders BRONZE: Rufty Homes BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER GOLD: Joseph William Interiors SILVER: Max Hugo Interior Design BRONZE: Kristen Ennis Design

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BEST BANK GOLD: State Employees’ Credit Union SILVER: Wells Fargo BRONZE: Bank of America BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR GOLD: Chase Breeden/Edward Jones SILVER: Richardson Private Wealth Advisors/Ameriprise BRONZE: TIE – Maria Litzinger of Edward Jones Fidelity BEST LAW FIRM GOLD: Cary Estate Planning SILVER: Bowen Law Firm BRONZE: Barringer Sasser LLP BEST TRAVEL AGENCY GOLD: AAA Carolinas SILVER: Travel Experts of Cary BRONZE: Maupin Travel BEST AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR COMPANY GOLD: Frantz Automotive Center SILVER: Tao Auto BRONZE: Peak Auto BEST HOME/AUTO INSURANCE AGENCY GOLD: State Farm SILVER: TIE – Erie Insurance North Carolina Farm Bureau BRONZE: USAA BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL GOLD: Cary Christian School SILVER: Grace Christian School BRONZE: Cary Academy BEST VETERINARIAN GOLD: Town and Country Veterinary Hospital SILVER: Mayfair Animal Hospital BRONZE: Gentle Care Animal Hospital BEST PET PAMPERING BUSINESS GOLD: Peak City Puppy SILVER: Pupsi Inc. BRONZE: Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE GOLD: Best Clean Ever SILVER: Pura Vida Studio BRONZE: Nancy Grace Homes of Keller Williams Legacy

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RALEIGH RESIDENT VAN FLETCHER, AN AGENT WITH ALLEN TATE REALTORS AND COMPETITIVE TRIATHLETE, ENJOYS TRAINING HOLISTICALLY WITH HIS DAUGHTER SARAH.

HOLISTIC FITNESS EXERCISE YOUR MIND AND BODY, AT THE SAME TIME BP HY OSTAOMS ABNYT HBAR UG CREA TDTeOBNO E R

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EXERCISE FROM A PLACE OF JOY.

s the new year begins, many look for a fresh

supervisor of fitness and wellness for WakeMed

start and new vision of what health and wellness

Healthworks in Raleigh and Cary. “You should exercise

means. Instead of making mere resolutions that

because it feels good, and [because] it’s a stress reliever

may fade by February, consider your health from

and it connects you with your body.”

a holistic point of view. Why not take an approach that will engage your mind and body at the same time? “I think what’s maybe missing from when you do think

Rich recommends making “SMART” goals, which she says stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. Instead of saying generically, “I want to exercise

about health and wellness is that we think about them

more,” set a SMART goal such as going on a 30-minute walk

separately,” says Brit Guerin, licensed mental health

three times a week at a moderate intensity level. These

counselor, fitness professional and owner of Current

goals can be short- or long-term, and you can adjust them as

Wellness, which hosts weekly group fitness classes and

you go.

office space for wellness professionals in downtown Raleigh.

Rich—who works with clients of all ages and ability levels,

“We can’t have physical health without our mental health,

including post-rehab, post-stroke and post-traumatic brain

and we can’t have mental health without our physical health.

injury patients—also advises staying present and focused on

You can’t separate the two.”

what you are doing to get the most out of it. “It’s so easy to

GOAL SETTING

become distracted by your phone when you’re exercising.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to mind-body fitness. “It’s going to be different for everybody, but the main thing I tell my folks is to start where you are,” says Hailee Rich, who is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as an exercise physiologist and works as

I always like to tell people to put their phones down and ignore it,” she says. “If you’re listening to music, silence notifications. Everything else can wait. That’s your time— making it a priority is essential. If you don’t make it a priority, you’re not going to get the full benefit of it.”

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BRAIN EXERCISES “Movement is the biggest stimulator of the brain,” says Darcy D. Dane, D.C., a chiropractic neurologist who owns Carolina Brain Center in North Raleigh and has been credentialed as a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board. “In order to keep your brain healthy, we need to have movement.” She suggests focusing on cross-crawl movement to engage your brain while moving your body. Common

When you only have five minutes, take a mindful stretch break while incorporating intentional breathing. Guerin says you can accomplish this by moving your head from side to side, twisting your arms, stretching your hamstrings or doing lunges, all while noticing how the movement affects your body. “Moving your body in a gentle way can really help relieve stress and help regulate your nervous system,” she says, adding that it will help you concentrate better, focus better and feel more present.

examples are walking, jogging, running and using an

FEELING THE FEELS

elliptical trainer—these activities all require moving your

“I think exercise is a great first step to really focusing on

left arm with your right leg and vice versa. But it doesn’t

what you feel,” Rich says. She prompts people to ask

have to stop there. Rock climbing, taekwondo, jumping

themselves: “Do I enjoy this? Does it give me euphoria?

on a trampoline or even doing a ninja warrior course are

Do I look forward to doing this?”

other fun ways to stay active. When intentionally trying to exercise your brain, you may

While there are many physical and mental activities you can engage in to improve your health, the key is to find

wonder about cognitive tasks such as crossword puzzles or

something you enjoy doing in order to move your body

apps that get you thinking. While these are definitely

mindfully and with intention. Regardless of what exercise

worthwhile, Dane says the physical component of exercise

you choose, be sure to do it with the right mindset. “I think

is still necessary. For example, learning a new language or

it’s less about what activity you can do, but how you are

musical instrument exercises your mind and body since it

approaching it,” Guerin says. “Any movement is good

involves motor components by moving your mouth and

movement if you're doing it from a place of joy and wanting

hands in a new way.

to move your body because it feels good.”

BODY EXERCISES When deciding on what type of physical exercise works best for you, start by considering your needs and values. What you need one day may not always be what you need the next day, so variety is key. For some, yoga offers a nice range of

WORKING OUT WITH BATTLE ROPES ENGAGES YOUR BRAIN WHILE BUILDING MUSCLE.

styles and poses to keep things interesting. “There are so many varieties of yoga that there’s literally a type for everybody,” Rich says. In addition to yoga, she says tai chi and Pilates emphasize breathing and being connected between your mind and your body. Dane agrees that yoga is good for promoting balance, but also advocates for weightlifting as a good way to build strength in your bones and muscles. If your goal is to reduce anxiety, Guerin suggests restorative yoga, which involves slower, more supportive movement and gives your mind permission to relax. You can also fight feelings of depression, she says, by moving your body to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which activates your fight-or-flight response and gives you more energy and motivation.

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FOCUS ON CROSS-CRAWL MOVEMENT—SUCH AS WALKING, JOGGING OR RUNNING—TO ENGAGE YOUR BRAIN WHILE MOVING YOUR BODY.

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THANKS TO SASSOOL, WHICH HAS LOCATIONS IN CARY AND RALEIGH, FOR PROVIDING THE NOGGIN-NOURISHING FOODS THAT WERE PHOTOGRAPHED FOR THIS STORY.

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Brain-Boosting Foods 13 WAYS TO NOURISH AND IMPROVE YOUR COGNITIVE FUNCTION

BY MANDY HOWARD

PHOTOS BY BRIAN MULLINS

hought. Memory. Emotion. Sight. Speech. Concentration. What do all these things have in common? They are all regulated, controlled and facilitated by our brains—which also handle minor

activities like, you know, breathing and maintaining consciousness. How can we show gratitude to the organ that works so hard for us? None of the answers will shock you: getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, staying hydrated and, perhaps most important, eating a balanced diet. “What we eat and how we eat has a big effect on how our brain functions,” says Anna M. Lutz, a registered dietician who holds a master’s degree in public health and owns Lutz, Alexander & Associates Nutrition Therapy. “I talk with my clients a lot about the importance of eating well for brain function. Our brains are made of fat, use carbohydrates as fuel and transmit messages through neurotransmitters, which are made of the building blocks of protein. We need to eat adequately for our brains to function at their best.” Keeping this brainy advice in mind, here’s a rundown of the foods and beverages best known for properly nourishing your noggin.

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BERRIES You don’t need to know anything about anthocyanins to enjoy their delicious brain-boosting benefits. Anthocyanins are the key to berries’ antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. In a study authored by Elizabeth Devore, an instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, researchers looked at the dietary habits of 16,000-plus women over a 15-year period. The results showed that women who ate at least one-half cup of blueberries or one cup of strawberries each week performed better on cognitive tests.

FRUITS CONTAINING VITAMIN C Oranges, guava, kiwi, strawberries and two foods typically referred to as vegetables— tomatoes and bell peppers—all contain high amounts of vitamin C, which helps prevent damage to brain cells and supports overall brain health, according to a paper published by the Premier Neurology & Wellness Center in Stuart, Florida. In addition to that, a 2013 study published by Fiona E. Harrison, an associate professor in the diabetes division of Vanderbilt University’s Department of Medicine, suggests that vitamin C can potentially prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES You already know spinach, kale, collards and arugula make up important parts of a balanced diet, but did you know their nutrients may be vital to keeping your brain young? A study conducted by researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago that began in 1997 and was completed in 2013, reveals that just one daily serving of these greens—which include protective nutrients like vitamin E, vitamin K, folate, lutein and beta carotene— made participants appear 11 years younger in terms of cognitive health.

FISH Docosahexaenoic acid, aka DHA, is an omega-3 fatty acid found most prominently in fish that has been shown to help boost brain development. And the fattier the better! Salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, trout and sardines are known to be richest in DHA. A 2016 study, also conducted by researchers at Rush University Medical Center that examined autopsied brains, showed that fish consumption was associated with less evidence of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also important to note that although there were, in fact,

higher levels of mercury consumed, that appeared to be irrelevant to the health of the study participants.

LEGUMES If DHA sounds familiar to you, you might be a mom. It’s a key nutrient pregnant women are asked to look for when deciding on a prenatal vitamin. The most important nutrient to look for? Folic acid. And this is where legumes come in. Chickpeas, lentils and other legumes are rich in folic acid, which, in addition to supporting prenatal health and fetal development, has also been shown to improve memory and verbal performance.

EGGS Eggs are incredibly rich in a nutrient called choline, which is essential for healthy brain development, muscle movement and a smooth-working nervous system. And while your liver makes a small amount of it, the majority must come through your diet. Many foods contain choline—salmon, broccoli and liver, to name a few—but eggs give you the most bang for your buck. Two large eggs can provide half of your daily requirement.

WALNUTS Take a good look at a walnut. Notice its subtle curves? There appears to be a left and right hemisphere, doesn’t there? Remind you of anything? It’s almost as if the walnut is screaming, “Hey! Eat me! I’m good for your brain!” It’s true, the nut that happens to look like a brain is very, very good for it. In addition to omega-3, walnuts contain polyphenolic compounds, which, according to Oxford Academic’s Journal of Nutrition, improve interneuronal signaling and increase neurogenesis. Interneurons connect and transfer signals between spinal motor and sensory neurons, and can communicate with each other. Neurogenesis is the process by which neurons are formed in the brain.

PUMPKIN SEEDS These toasted Halloween delights boast powerful antioxidants that protect your body and brain from free-radical damage. They also contain zinc, magnesium, copper and iron. The brain uses zinc to support nerve signaling, magnesium for learning and memory, copper for controlling nerve signals and iron to prevent that fuzzy condition we call “brain fog.”

DARK CHOCOLATE You were just waiting on confirmation of this one, weren’t you? It’s true—the combination of caffeine and antioxidants allow for dark chocolate to be the sweetest and most decadent way to boost brain function. You can thank flavanol, a plant-based compound that has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain. According to the Department of Agriculture, unsweetened baking chocolate contains 206 milligrams of flavanols per 100 grams of chocolate, dark chocolate has half that amount, and milk chocolate has only 15 milligrams of flavanol per gram, since it contains less of the original cocoa bean and is often diluted with the addition of milk solids, sugar and cream.

TURMERIC This dark yellow spice is commonly found in curry powder and is associated with improved memory, less depression and growth of new brain cells. Not only is turmeric a strong antioxidant and antiinflammatory substance, but it can pass through the blood-brain barrier to enter the brain directly.

COFFEE, TEA AND RED WINE Again, true (yay)! Caffeine in coffee and tea has been shown to have positive impacts on cognitive health by improving alertness. Green tea also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which, according to the Premier Neurology & Wellness Center, can cross the blood-brain barrier and increase neurotransmitter activity. When it comes to red wine, antioxidants like resveratrol have been shown to lower inflammation in the brain, clear away toxins, and limit stress and damage to the brain’s DNA cells, according to the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. Before you drop this magazine and reach for a coffee mug or wine glass, there are some important caveats. Moderation is always key when it comes to chocolate, coffee, wine, or any foods or beverages that tempt overindulgence. In these cases, the science is clear: Two cups of coffee, three cups of tea, a glass of wine and one ounce of chocolate show increased brain function, but overdoing any of those will create risks that outweigh the benefits. So, start boosting that brain! Your noggin, properly nourished, will thank you for years to come.

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6 Soups to Savor local chefs perfect winter’s principal meal

BY KATIE JANSEN

PHOTOS BY BRIAN MULLINS

n the heart of winter, few things are more

Check on your soup periodically and, as time

comforting than a steaming, aromatic bowl

passes, revel in its rising steam and the delicious

of soup. For many winters, soups have

aroma that fills your home. Delight in what is perhaps

filled our stomachs with a nourishing and

the most satisfying result of this process: the fact that

delicious warmth. In 2012, Harvard University

a vat of homemade soup goes an incredibly long way.

archaeologist Ofer Bar-Yosef and colleagues

It can nourish a crowd or provide days of leftovers

discovered pottery artifacts in China suggesting

that require no additional effort in the kitchen.

that humans made soup as early as 20,000 B.C.

We all have favorite soups—and often associate them

Clearly, the history of soup is as rich as its many

with nostalgic memories. But it’s always fun to try

flavors and combinations.

something new. This winter, trade in your scarf for

Quite often, preparing soup can be nearly as

slippers and get ready to stir and simmer in the warm

enjoyable as consuming it—but only if you’re willing

comfort of your kitchen. Clip out these recipes created

to take your time. After chopping your produce and

by six local chefs and add them to your collection.

other ingredients into neat, colorful piles, turn on the

From Sassool’s Freekah Chicken Soup to Mandolin’s

stove and start warming up your ingredients. You can

Popcorn Bisque, these recipes may become new

also warm your hands over the stovetop’s heat to take

regulars in your winter lineup—and are certain to

the chill out of even the most brisk winter days.

warm the hearts and stomachs of those you love.

Freekah Chicken Soup CREATED BY THE SALEH FAMILY, OWNERS OF SASSOOL | MAKES 8 CUPS

Editor’s note: Freekah is a green wheat that hasn’t matured yet, so it offers much more nutritional value than traditional wheat. In Lebanon, many dishes are cooked with freekah. It adds a signature nuttiness to the flavor. Ingredients 6 roasted crispy chicken legs (marinated a day before in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and salt) 2 cups of freekah

3 large carrots 1 cup of peas 1 cup of diced yellow onion 8 cups of chicken broth

1/4 cup of olive oil 1 teaspoon of salt 1 teaspoon of thyme 1 teaspoon of cumin

Directions Before composing your soup, chop the roasted chicken legs into ½-inch pieces. Wash, dry and cut the carrots into ¼-inch-thick moon-shaped pieces. Bake the chicken and carrots at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Next, rinse and strain the freekah. In a stockpot, heat the vegetable oil and add in the diced onion. Let the onions sweat for about 5 minutes. Add in the freekah, thyme, cumin and salt. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes. Add in the chicken broth and let the mixture simmer on low for another 30 minutes. Add the carrots, peas and chicken into the pot and let the soup simmer for 5 more minutes.

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Vegetarian Ramen/Noodle Soup CREATED BY CHEF ALEX CORDOVA OF TONBO RAMEN | MAKES 12 SERVINGS

Vegetable Broth Ingredients 2 gallons of water 1 ounce of dried kombu 2½ ounces of dried shiitake mushrooms 2 pounds of onions, cut into quarters 2 pounds of carrots

1½ pounds of sweet potato 4 ounces of garlic cloves 1 pound of celery 2½ ounces of ginger, cut into fourths 2 tomatoes, medium-sized

Vegetable Broth Directions Roast all of the vegetables at 450 degrees for 30 minutes. Fill a pot with the water and add the kombu. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the kombu and add the dried mushroom. Follow the same cooking process that applied to the kombu, then remove the mushrooms and add the roasted vegetables. Slow-simmer the vegetables for 2 hours. After simmering the vegetables for 2 hours, strain the broth, saving 3 ounces of the cooked sweet potato and 1 ounce of the cooked garlic. Using ½ cup of the strained stock, blend in the cooked potato and garlic until the mixture is smooth, then add it into the finished broth. Soy Tare Ingredients 6 ounces of fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced 1 3-inch knob of ginger, cut into ¼– to ½–inch slices 1 6-inch piece of dried kombu

6 pieces of green onions, chopped 6 medium garlic cloves, peeled ½ cup (120 milliliters) of tamari soy sauce ½ cup (120 milliliters) of mirin

Garlic Sesame Oil Directions Add the sesame oil and grated garlic into a small saucepan. Put the pan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring the mixture occasionally until the garlic turns golden brown. Remove the mixture from heat and allow it to cool. Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend it until you don’t see any pieces of garlic. Serving Directions Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Heat the stock until just before it reaches a simmer. Drop ramen noodles into the boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. While the noodles are cooking, mix the following ingredients in a separate bowl: 1 tablespoon of white miso paste, 2 teaspoons of Japanese sesame paste (tahini) and 1 tablespoon of soy tare. Then, add 12 ounces of hot broth to the bowl and stir it gently to incorporate the miso into the mixture. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt or soy tare if necessary. Take the noodles out of the boiling water; drain carefully and add them into the bowl of soup. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the garlic sesame oil onto the noodles. Top your vegetable ramen with chopped green onions, dried seaweed and your favorite roasted or sautéed vegetables. Soy Tare Directions Add all ingredients into a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is reduced by half. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and set it aside.

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Chicken Enchilada Soup CREATED BY 13 TACOS & TAPS EXECUTIVE CHEF JOSE D. PERAZA-ARCE | MAKES 6–8 SERVINGS

STEP 1 Broth Ingredients 3–4 chicken breasts with rib (skin on) 6 black peppercorns Salt (to taste) 2 medium garlic cloves ½ onion 2 stalks of celery 2 carrots

STEP 2 1 large sweet potato (skin on) 1–2 bay leaves 1 serrano pepper (slit) ½ bunch of cilantro, chopped 2½ quarts of water or store-bought chicken broth

Broth Directions In a 6-quart pot, add water, chicken breasts, peppercorn, bay leaves and garlic cloves and bring the mixture to a boil. Add all remaining ingredients to the broth and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 30–40 minutes until the chicken is done (it should be moist, not dry). Remove the sweet potato and chicken and set them aside. Remove and discard the remaining ingredients. (If you’re making stock from scratch instead of using store-bought stock, it can be chilled in order to remove all the fat that congeals on top.) Shred the chicken breast and cool the shredded chicken with a little stock poured over it so it does not dry out. Divide it into two halves and set both halves aside.

Puree Ingredients 8 guajillo chiles, deseeded 1 chile de arbol with seeds 2 cups of diced red onion mixed with cilantro 1 garlic clove 2–3 tablespoons of canola oil

2 cups of kidney beans 2 cups of corn (off the cob or store-bought) Half of the shredded chicken (set aside from step 1)

Puree Directions In a medium pan, sauté the onions and cilantro until they are caramelized to a medium degree. Add the peppers and garlic and continue to sauté the mixture until the chiles are soft. (Do not burn the peppers or they will taste bitter.) Scoop out the sweet potato flesh and discard the skin. Place all above ingredients—except for the kidney beans and corn—into a blender to puree them. The puree should be a bit creamy, not runny. If it’s too thick, add small amounts of broth to reach the desired consistency. Add salt to taste. After these ingredients are blended, incorporate the whole corn kernels, kidney beans and half of the shredded chicken. Heat before serving.

STEP 3 Garnish and Enchilada Ingredients 9 ounces of Mexican queso fresco cut 1 cup of sour cream into ¼-inch cubes (purchase from a 6–8 slices of avocado Mexican grocery store) Half of the shredded chicken 1 cup of diced red onion and cilantro, (set aside from step 1) mixed 6–8 4½-to-5-inch round corn tortillas Enchilada Directions Heat the tortillas with a little oil in a pan to soften them and make them pliable. Add the remaining half of shredded chicken on top of the tortillas and roll them (like a cigar) to make enchiladas.

Directions for Plating the Soup Place the first three ingredients from step 3 into small serving dishes and arrange the serving dishes on a platter. Place each rolled tortilla with chicken inside a soup bowl, then top it with a slice of avocado. Place the puree into a container large enough to hold enough soup to fill the bowl two-thirds of the way up. Serve the platter to your guest(s) and have them pour the soup on top of the enchilada in the soup bowl, then top it with garnishes to their taste. For more heat, add your favorite hot sauce. Buen provecho!

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Gumbo CREATED BY ST. ROCH FINE OYSTERS + BAR CHEF AND OWNER SUNNY GERHART SERVES 8 (MAKES APPROXIMATELY 4 QUARTS)

Ingredients 4 cups of yellow onion, diced into small pieces 2 cups of green bell peppers, diced into small pieces with the seeds removed 2 cups of celery, diced into small pieces 1 cup of tomato paste 2 pounds of andouille sausage, sliced into rings

4 pounds of bone-in chicken, whole or leg quarters (precooked rotisserie chicken works perfectly) 4 ounces of sherry or other cooking wine 4 ounces of flour 4 ounces plus 2 additional ounces of canola oil 1 tablespoon of gumbo filé

Directions Heat 2 ounces of canola oil in a wide, 6-quart dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot until the oil is hot and has started to lightly smoke. Add the andouille sausage rings and caramelize them slightly. Once the sausage rings are golden brown, remove them with a slotted spoon— leaving the rendered fat and canola oil in the pot—and place them on a plate. Set the plate aside. If you’re using raw chicken, sear it skin-side down until the skin is a dark golden brown, then flip the chicken and continue to sear it until it is fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pot and place it aside to cool. Once the chicken is cool enough to touch, pull all of the meat off of the bone and reserve the bones for a batch of chicken stock you can use to make your next batch of gumbo. Add the diced onions to the pot and slowly cook them, stirring constantly until the onions caramelize and become a very dark brown, being careful not to burn them. (This takes some time, so be patient.) Once the onions are a dark golden color, add the green peppers and celery and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until they become soft and translucent. Deglaze the pan with the sherry, being sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen the tasty bits and prevent them from burning. Reduce the wine until it is almost dry. Add the remaining 4 ounces of canola oil and 4 ounces of flour to the pot. Stir continuously (a wooden spoon works best). You are making the roux and it is very important to keep a watchful eye and stir it the entire time, as it will burn very quickly. Keep cooking until the roux starts to caramelize and turn a dark brown color. You can make it as dark as you would like, but be careful not to burn it. Once the roux is the color you are looking for, add the pulled chicken and andouille sausage back to the pot, stir well and add the chicken stock. Bring the stock to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the gumbo simmer for an hour or two, depending on how much time you have. (The longer it cooks, the better it will taste.) Season the gumbo liberally with salt, lots of black pepper and cayenne pepper to taste. Garnish it with lots of chopped scallions and flat leaf parsley, then serve it with sides of rice or potato salad.

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Soupe al’ Oignon CREATED BY LA FARM BAKERY MASTER BAKER LIONEL VATINET’S BROTHER, LAURENT VATINET | SERVES 6

Reprinted with permission from Vatinet’s book, “A Passion for Bread: Lessons From A Master Baker” (Little, Brown & Company) Ingredients 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil 4 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced 2 large red onions, thinly sliced 2 small shallots, thinly sliced 3 tablespoons of dry white wine 3 tablespoons of dry sherry 8 cups of homemade beef stock or low sodium, nonfat canned beef broth 1 bay leaf

2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons of chopped flat-leaf parsley 1 tablespoon of freshly ground black pepper 6 slices of La Farm Bakery bread or baguette, sliced 1/8-inch-thick and toasted* 6 slices Gruyere or Comté cheese, sliced 1/4-inch-thick (or 1/4 cup shredded Gruyere or Comté cheese)

Directions Preheat the broiler to 500 degrees. Using parchment paper, line a baking sheet small enough to fit under the broiler and large enough to hold six 8-ounce ovenproof crocks. Place the crocks on the lined baking sheet and set it aside. Combine the butter and oil in a large (6- to 8-quart) heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat. Once the butter has melted, add the yellow and red onions and shallots. Cook for about 1 hour, stirring frequently, until the onions are caramelized (golden brown and almost sugary). Add the white wine and sherry to the saucepan, stirring to scrape up the brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Cook for 4–5 minutes, continuously stirring, until the wine has begun to evaporate. Add the stock, along with the bay leaf, Worcestershire sauce, parsley and pepper, and bring to a boil. Immediately lower the heat and simmer the mixture for 15 minutes. Remove the mixture from heat and discard the bay leaf. Ladle an equal portion of the onion soup into the crocks until each one is three-quarters full. Top each one with a piece of toast followed by either a slice of cheese or an equal amount of shredded cheese. Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and broil the crocks for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Serve immediately. *The bread should be cut in a shape that will exactly fit the top of the soup crocks. If you use dry, stale bread, there will be no need to toast it.

Popcorn Bisque CREATED BY MANDOLIN EXECUTIVE CHEF SEAN FOWLER

Ingredients 1 onion, diced 1 head of raw garlic 3 leeks (white) 1 bunch of thyme 1 bunch of celery, diced 2 cups of white wine 1 gallon of chicken stock

1 pound of butter 6 quarts of popped popcorn 1 quart of heavy cream 2 tablespoons of sea salt 1½ tablespoons of white pepper Garnish with sauteed shrimp, capers and crème fraiche

Directions Sweat the onion, garlic, leeks, celery and thyme sprigs over medium heat until the vegetables are translucent and soft. Add the white wine and reduce by half. Add the remaining ingredients and bring the soup to a simmer. Cook the soup for 20 minutes. Remove the soup from heat and blend it with an immersion blender until smooth. Pass it through a strainer and serve with the shrimp, capers and crème fraiche. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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INTENTIONAL INTERACTIONS How one-on-one communication enriches your child’s brain

BY ELIZABETH BRIGNAC f you see adults across the Triangle talking

Research demonstrates that the more we use

casually to babies as if they might somehow

neurons and build connections between them—

answer, there is no need for concern. These

especially during our earliest weeks and months—

adults are probably just aware of current

the stronger they become. Neurons we seldom

research about the importance of communicating

use, meanwhile, form weaker pathways between

with young children.

one another and are sometimes pruned away

“You’re in a grocer y store, and you’re narrating,”

altogether. Pruning is natural. It happens in all

describes psychologist Kat North of 3-C Family

brains. But it helps children if the neurons they

Ser vices in Car y. “‘Oh, let’s get the apples. Should

build up are the ones they will need most as they

we get the red ones or the green ones? I don’t

mature. Frequent, active engagement with their

know!’ And you’re doing this to a 6-month-old baby.

children is the best way adults can help kids build

And there are people walking by thinking, ‘Well,

solid mental structures, because such interactions

you’re nuts.’” But actually, she says, this interaction

exercise useful neurons in many different parts of

is a great example of a child enrichment activity.

the brain.

Parents need not engage in public displays of chitchat, of course, but health care professionals

STIMULATING INTERACTIONS

over whelmingly agree that frequent, focused

Babies start seeking engagement with caregivers

interaction between a child and his or her

as soon as they are born. Newborns can only see

caregiver is essential for the child’s healthy

about 10 inches in front of them—the distance

brain development.

between their own faces and those of the people

BUILDING THE BRAIN

holding them—and they instinctively seek out faces. “That is how they start to understand the

Why do these interactions matter so much in

world, through that primar y caregiver,” says

the first years of life? 3-C Family Services child

Jackie Hartman, a licensed clinical mental health

psychiatrist Jennifer Siddle compares an infant’s

counselor and registered art and play therapist

brain to a tomato plant. “If you put the stake in the

at Oak City Counseling in Raleigh. As babies

ground when the tomato is a little seedling, you’ve

grow, they continue to look to their caregivers for

got a great structure for that tomato to grow up

reassurance and approval, as well as information.

towards the sun and get the light it needs,” she says. Likewise, the interactions the child has early

So how might beneficial interactions play out between a baby or toddler and his or her caregiver?

in life create a mental structure upon which the

Dr. Dana Suskind, M.D., founder and co-director

brain continues to develop into adulthood. “We’re

of the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public

born with all these neurons, but they’re not really

Health, emphasizes the three Ts: Tune in, Talk

connected to each other,” says child psychologist

more and Take turns. “Tune in” means engaging

Susan Gillo, also of 3-C Family Ser vices. “The way

the baby’s attention during an activity. “Talk more”

we interact with the environment really forms the

means the adult is constantly using language to

architecture of our brain.”

describe and interact about the activity. “Take

A newborn’s brain is born ready to interpret

turns” involves using a “ser ve-and-return” style of

human experiences, and those experiences, in

interaction, such as rolling a ball back and forth, or

turn, affect the way the brain develops physically.

engaging in some form of conversation.

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Jose Luis Pelaez/Getty Images

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Fat Camera/Getty Images

Stimulating interactions require no

recognize routine activities as opportunities

technology or special knowledge—just

to engage their children. “‘The Basics’ are

focus, interaction and language. The

all things you can weave into your day-to-

benefits they confer are enormous for

day life,” says Megan LeFaivre, literacy

a child’s learning potential, behavior

coordinator at Ready Ready. “They can be

regulation, communication skills, and other

done at home, running errands, taking a

mental and emotional resources.

bath, making dinner. They just have to be

OVERCOMING BARRIERS

intentional interactions.” Getting daycare workers on board

Why might children miss out on these

is also a way for working parents to

types of interaction? Many caregivers

ensure their child receives one-on-one

are unaware that such communication is

engagement. LeFaivre suggests looking

important. Programs like “The Basics,”

for daycares with low staf f-to-child ratios

which developed from a Har vard University

and, once you find one, ensuring they

initiative, seek to spread word across the

understand the impor tance of one-on-one

nation about important activities for brain

engagement time.

development in young children. Ready for

Nor th and Gillo both stress the

School, Ready for Life (aka Ready Ready),

impor tance of busy parents taking just

a Guilford County–based program, has

10–15 minutes a day to engage babies and

engaged in a widespread campaign to

toddlers in child-directed interactions.

inform caregivers and preschool teachers

“Don’t think of it as quantity; think of it as

about easy ways to interact with young

quality,” Nor th advises.

children in ways that stimulate different parts of their brains.

This child-directed time need not be complicated. Gillo describes it as “being

Kate Sept 2004/Getty Images

COMMUNITY SUPPORT “We need to look at the science—not only to understand what needs to happen at an individual level, but also at a societal level— to support getting this [information] out into the world,” Suskind says. Communities can play an important role in educating citizens about the importance of brainenriching interactions, especially when different agencies work together. Ready Ready partners with businesses throughout Guilford County to educate parents on “The Basics.” They work with OB-GYNs and pediatricians, but they also engage parents in unexpected venues by encouraging local businesses to include information about “The Basics” in parental leave kits. Ready Ready also provides materials for parents at the housing authority and local barbershops and hair salons. The organization even has an exhibit at a local children’s museum. Communities can also invest in programs

present with the child, and just looking

that encourage parents to engage in one-on-

of focused interactions with their children,

where they’re looking.” The child might,

one interactions with their children. Some

some families—such as those with parents

for example, show the parent a toy or lead

parents cannot afford daycare centers with

who work long hours or must take on

the parent on an outdoor exploration.

low staff-to-child ratios, and paid parental

multiple jobs—may find it hard to make

“The idea is shared focus and shared

leave is often limited or nonexistent.

time for such interactions. It helps if parents

attention,” she says.

LeFaivre notes the work of James Heckman,

Even if they know about the importance

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FG Trade/Getty Images

a Nobel Prize–winning economist at the University of Chicago who has established that each dollar invested in a young child’s development has a $4–$16 return. Many child development experts believe Heckman’s research provides a good argument for why companies should consider investing in paid parental leave for their employees, and extending that leave as long as possible. Communities can also provide and assist parents in paying for daycare centers with low staff-to-child ratios to reduce the need for pricey inter vention programs later. “As a society, we all benefit from strong,

“THE BASICS”

Reprinted with permission from Ready for School, Ready for Life SCIENCE SHOWS THAT 80% OF BRAIN GROWTH HAPPENS BY AGE 3! Beginning from birth, young brains develop like little muscles, getting bigger and stronger the more you and your family interact with your child. “The Basics” are five fun, simple, science-based and powerful ways to help all our children develop. MAXIMIZE LOVE, MANAGE STRESS

LEARN MORE

Babies and toddlers thrive when their world feels loving, safe and predictable. Respond with smiles, words and touch to help them see, hear and feel your love. You will help them develop a sense of security and self-control.

“The Basics” thebasics.org

TALK, SING AND POINT

healthy future citizens,” Suskind says. “By aligning what we do with children and families, we can best support all children’s healthy brain development.”

Ready for School, Ready for Life getreadyguilford.org James Heckman heckmanequation.org

Babies learn language from the moment they are born. Respond to their sounds and, later, their words. Connect with eye contact and a loving tone of voice, while pointing to help them know what you are talking about.

COUNT, GROUP AND COMPARE Every child’s brain is wired for math. Talk about numbers, shapes, patterns and comparisons as you go about your routines together. Watch your child learn to love math. EXPLORE THROUGH MOVEMENT AND PLAY Babies are like scientists who love making discoveries. Watch to see what interests them, then encourage their curiosity and help them learn when they play and explore. READ AND DISCUSS STORIES Reading turns kids into confident thinkers. Make books a regular part of your relationship from the very beginning. With infants, point at the pictures and speak with excitement. With toddlers, just make it fun.

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D E PA R T M E N T S C H E F ’ S TA B L E

A RESTAURANT HOLLY SPRINGS CAN CALL ITS OWN OSHA THAI KITCHEN & SUSHI FILLS A MUCH-NEEDED NICHE IN WESTERN WAKE

BY ELLIOT ACOSTA

PHOTOS BY MASH PHOTOGRAPHY

ust a few decades ago, Holly Springs could be more accurately described by what the town didn’t have, than by what it did. There weren’t many residential subdivisions, shopping areas or places to eat. But then the sleepy town at the southern edge of Wake County that had just shy of 1,400 residents in 1990, exploded to more than 40,000 in 2020. Fujiflim broke ground in Holly Springs that same year, continuing the momentum. Despite this growth, Holly Springs still didn’t have a neighborhood restaurant where residents could go for a nice meal. Tired of driving to the Triangle’s marquee cities for a quality dining experience, North Carolina natives and longtime Holly Springs residents Blake and Katie Zalcberg knew the town of Holly Springs was ready for an acclaimed restaurant of its own—and it just so happened they knew a pair who would help them bring such a restaurant to life.

UNIFIED ASPIRATIONS

The Zalcbergs met Leo Chotitaveesaksri when he was their charismatic and attentive server at Wasabi, a longtime fixture in Cary’s Japanese scene. Eventually, their conversations diverged from culinary options to a deeper discussion of aspirations, namely

Chotitaveesaksri’s desire to open a Thai restaurant that reflected the taste and flavors of his life in Thailand. The Zalcbergs also learned of Chotitaveesaksri’s wife, Wiyada “Tuk” Sorkeaw, and her desire to lead a kitchen. Thanks to the Zalcbergs’ connection to developing Holly Springs’ Town Hall Commons, the team collaborated and made Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi a reality. For Blake, the partnership goes beyond just business. “We’re like family,” Blake says. “Four people running in parallel, serving authentic Thai food, sushi and cocktails to Holly Springs.” Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi opened in late 2019. At that time, its creators were getting their feet underneath them, trying to figure out how to consistently provide an authentic experience for guests. During those early days, Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi didn’t even offer takeout. But then the pandemic and shelter-in-place orders came to North Carolina. Within a day, the restaurant pivoted and offered online ordering. The chaos created by the pandemic over the last two years gave the restaurant an opportunity to define itself. And through the midst of this mayhem, Holly Springs carried them. “My expectations were far exceeded with how important you can become to a community” Blake says.

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AUTHENTIC THAI TASTE

Richard Fong, who previously headed other prestigious kitchens—like O-Ku Sushi in Raleigh—the sushi at Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi focuses on the art of the craft. Its sushi menu pays tribute to the skillful work of the chefs’ knives, quality of the fish and aesthetic beauty of the plate. One of the restaurant’s most popular sushi items is the Tuna Tower, a stacked cylinder of crispy rice, avocado and spicy tuna. For Blake, who advocated for including sushi as part of the restaurant’s vision, the Hamachi Kama, a grilled yellowtail collar served with ponzu sauce, showcases the talent of Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi’s chefs. While the restaurant was being constructed, a curious construction worker asked Blake, “You sure you want to build a Cadillac in Holly Springs?” Blake’s response: “Holly Springs needs a Cadillac.” The Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi team knew from the start that Holly Springs was ready for its own celebrated restaurant, and they are grateful that the community allowed Osha Thai & Sushi to be that place.

A CADILLAC IN HOLLY SPRINGS

PICTURED AT LEFT: WIYADA “TUK” SORKEAW, OWNER AND HEAD OF THE KITCHEN; LEO CHOTITAVEESAKSRI, OWNER AND FRONT OF HOUSE EXPERIENCE MANAGER; AND KOI MOONTRIPAKDEE, HEAD CHEF.

Among the menu offerings crafted by Leo and Tuk is Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi’s most beloved dish: pad thai. It has earned praise and attention in large part due to its unique fishnet cooked eggs laid over stir fr y noodles. But the restaurant’s menu goes beyond its headlining dish. Paying homage to Thai cuisine, dishes like the Som Tum Thai—which features shaved green papaya, grilled shrimp and Thai chiles—offer diners an authentic taste of Thailand. The biggest misconception associated with Thai cuisine is that all Thai dishes are intolerably spicy. But Blake is quick to point out that Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi dishes like the Tom Yum soup stretch across the flavor spectrum. He also mentions, quite often, that Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi provides a range of heat levels—from mild to infamous Thai hot. If diners do find themselves engulfed in heat, Blake recommends cooling down with the restaurant’s Thai Sweet Coconut Sticky Rice (see the recipe below), whether on the side or in the restaurant’s Mango and Sticky Rice dessert.

The restaurant’s sushi offerings depart from a marketplace heavily skewed toward providing diners high consumption of all-you-can-eat and buy-one-get-one deals. Under the direction of

THAI SWEET COCONUT STICKY RICE INGREDIENTS 3 cups of sweet sticky rice

2 13½ ounce cans of coconut milk 1 cup of sugar

½ teaspoon of salt DIRECTIONS Put 3 cups of dry, sweet sticky rice in a container and fill it with water to completely cover the rice. Let it soak for 6 hours. Put the rice in a rice net or seasoning bag and place it in a stovetop steamer. Boil water underneath it for 30 minutes, then take the rice out and let it cool in a bowl. In a pot on the stove, add 2 cans of coconut milk, 1 cup of sugar and ½ teaspoon of salt, then boil it together until the sugar and salt has dissolved. Pour the liquid over the rice, mix it together and let it cool. Enjoy the rice with cut-up ripe mango or any fruit for a delicious snack or dessert.

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D E PA R T M E N T S C O M M U N I T Y

A LIBRARY LIBRARY C COMES OMES OF A AGE GE CARY REGIONAL LIBRARY TAKES A HIGH-TECH TURN BY THOMAS GUETTLER ⅼ PHOTOS BY JOSH MANNING

ew things represent community as much as the local library. For Cary Regional Library, generations of patrons have checked out reading material, participated in programming services or simply enjoyed a quiet place to read a book. This institution has served as an outstanding example of community. Small and outdated, the library outgrew its original location. So, in fall 2019, a new facility opened to the public just a short jaunt across the street. The difference was, the new location delivered a vast improvement. “The Cary [Regional] Library was long overdue for a larger facility and the ability to offer more of everything to the citizens of Cary,” says Cary Regional Library Manager Liz Bartlett. With more than 23,000 square feet of public space—which is more than double the original facility—the new facility offers more flexibility and space for growth. Complete with a dedicated children’s programming room that features greater technology, an adult learning space and, simply, more of everything, Cary Regional Library has positioned itself for a new era of community service. “The public most certainly was appreciating the new offerings, as our growing door count and program statistics attested,” Bartlett says. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wake County shut down all libraries and reassessed operations. The new Cary Regional Library had only been open for a few months when it closed to the public.

AN INTROSPECTIVE PERSPECTIVE

During this crisis, the Wake County Public Libraries system looked inward. Could it operate safely? What kind of services could it contribute for the greater good? How could it emerge better than before? Senior library administrators tackled these questions. Many library staff members moved into the Wake County Emergency Operations

Center to assist with call center operations, helping residents with concerns, answering questions and assisting wherever needed. Cary Regional Library’s information technology staff worked to convert multiple libraries, including the new Cary facility, so they could house contact tracing teams to further serve the community. Many also assisted with county vaccination clinics and adopted new ways of working remotely, collaborating virtually, and working on database and inventory organizing. These collaborations resulted in the Books on the Go program at Cary Regional Library. Patrons could make remote requests and schedule appointments to pick up their books in a safe, contactless way. More than 8,000 appointments were made each month, according to Bartlett.

A NEW HOME New technology initiatives were also implemented during the height of COVID closures, which modernized librar y operations. Prior to the pandemic, Car y Regional Librar y moved into its new facility, which of fered greater space and a larger book selection, but still operated on dated technology. The pandemic closures represented an ideal time to update technology, while minimizing impact on operations.

A MODERN REDO During the pandemic, Cary Regional Library’s staff initiated a project to upgrade its system for computer use and printing services. The library no longer needs

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staff-dedicated resources to reserve public computer time, assist with printing services or perform financial transactions. The new system incorporates printing and copying into a self-service kiosk, and as with most retail operations, patrons get what they need quickly and efficiently. With more staffing resources available, additional programming services are being created. Furthering a more customer-friendly, self-service business model is at the heart of these technology initiatives. Converting the library system’s book inventory and check-in (and out) stations to a radio frequency system identification (commonly referred to as RFID) will further efficient processes for the library staff. On schedule for implementation in early 2022, these faster and more efficient setups at

the circulation desks and in workrooms will be able to process materials faster and with greater accuracy.

LOOKING AHEAD

RFID scanning pads no longer need to scan inventory on outdated systems, and can process a group of books at one time. Staff and patrons simply place their books on pads in a single group, and everything gets checked out in one transaction. Kiosks display information for upcoming programs and services, and patrons can access job-seeking programs and events, which also enable patrons to set up alerts for upcoming activities and programs as they check books out. A newly renovated Bookmobile will also be back out on the road. COVID prevented

the rollout of the Bookmobile in 2020, but it will continue its mission to promote early literacy and spreading the love of reading. “Once we’re reopened for programming, our major support within the community will be the cooperative ventures we can start to have with Cary Arts Center, Downtown Park, local schools, and other services and businesses in the area,” Bartlett says. With foresight and vision, the library system emerges stronger than ever. Cary Regional Library marks a new era in service to the community. A mesh of traditional operations and emerging technology keep up with the technology curve and represents the Cary Regional Library as a coming-of-age system. chorale, there is indeed a payoff for all those hours of singing their hearts out. “It’s something the audience gets one time, but it’s something you’ve been living with for months,” Layton says. “There is still something about putting on your tuxedo and walking on stage with an audience there. You get one shot at it, and then it’s done. There’s an adrenaline rush to that experience. I absolutely love it.” Difino agrees, even if she is preaching to the choir. “There’s something about being in front of people that makes you want to bring your best to that moment,” she says. “The power of being in sync and producing music in that way is absolutely emotional. You’re immersed in it, you’re surrounded by it, you’re breathing it. That definitely makes it magic.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T H E A LT H Y L I V I N G

Regain Your Smile: “All on four” dental implants By Drs. Reinaldo Deliz-Guzman, Aakash Mehandru, Justin Valentine, Michael Kretchmer and Michael Stella Missing teeth are an increasing problem for many people. Classic, removable appliances such as full or partial dentures cause bone loss and loss of stability over time. This inevitable bone loss causes dentures to lose their retention and requires replacement every few years. This can be not only time-consuming but also can make a big impact on one’s wallet. Fortunately, the current standard of care for tooth replacement is no longer removable dentures. Dental implants, which are artificial tooth roots, are placed into bone and serve as posts or anchors that can be attached to teeth. These biocompatible titanium fixtures truly integrate or fuse into the jaw bone over time. Single crowns, bridges, and partial- or full-jaw replacement prosthetic appliances can be attached and are the best replacements for missing teeth. The concept of “all on four” involves the surgeon placing four or more implants in a jaw

and replacing all the missing teeth at once, with a bridge that screws into place and functions naturally like the teeth it replaces. Usually, the periodontist who places the implants will work closely with the restoring dentist (either a general dentist or a prosthodontist, who specializes in the fabrication of prosthetic dental appliances), so you can keep your own dentist but improve your health and function. With these implant-retained prostheses, the problem of ill-fitting dentures over time that once beleaguered patients is now a thing of the past. Implants not only ensure that the overdenture or hybrid will stay in place, they also prevent the progressive bone loss that occurs once teeth are removed. With implant-retained dental prostheses, patients now have an opportunity to regain confidence in their appearance, have a normal diet and feel like themselves again.

Implants are the best option for tooth replacement, so if you or a family member are missing teeth, give us a call today to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our doctors!

Dr. Aakash Mehandru, Dr. Justin Valentine, Dr. Michael Stella, Dr. Reinaldo Deliz-Guzman and Dr. Michael Kretchmer

Tar Heel Periodontics & Implant Dentistry Locations throughout the Triangle 919.844.7140 | tarheelperio.com

The information on this page is provided to the public by the advertiser mentioned above. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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D E PA R T M E N T S M U S I C

SINGING THE SONG

THE VOLUNTEER SINGERS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA MASTER CHORALE DELIVER PROFESSIONAL VOCAL PERFORMANCES BY KURT DUSTERBERG ⅼ PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE NORTH CAROLINA MASTER CHORALE

radley Layton is an epidemiologist.

says Layton, who played piano as a child

large performance group rehearses every

His work days are spent pouring

and sang in his collegiate choir. “I needed

Tuesday. On a performance week, they

through data science and

it as part of my day. I needed to have

meet as many as six nights. “I have such

biostatistics, evaluating the safety of new

something that wasn’t just sitting with a

appreciation for them and the sacrifices

medications. But when it’s time to call it a

textbook, studying on my own.”

and the commitments they make,” says

day, he has his go-to stress reliever. “I get

Sturgis, a Cary resident. “We have a lot of

in my car and drive away, and I have

educators. I don’t know how you get out of

25–30 minutes,” he says. “Then I show up

rehearsal at 10 o’clock at night, then you

and I get to sing for a couple of hours.”

have to get up at 5 o’clock in the morning

Layton is a member of the North

and teach kids all day. I really marvel at

Carolina Master Chorale, a 170-voice

folks like that. They really love it. And I’m

symphonic chorus, which serves as the

proud to say that what we have in Raleigh

resident chorus for the North Carolina

gives them opportunities a lot of other

Symphony. But the organization also

places can’t.”

produces a full season of its own projects, held at Duke Energy Center for the

Gina Difino sang in three choirs in Al Sturgis has served as the music

high school and continued in college.

Performing Arts’ Meymandi Concert Hall

director and conductor of the chorale

She joined the chorale in 2003 when she

and other venues. All of the vocalists are

since 1993, auditioning talent and staging

moved to the Triangle. “It’s something

volunteers, so performing with the chorale

as many as 40 performances per year

I knew I always wanted as part of my life,”

is an avocation for nearly all the members.

with different groupings of personnel

says Difino, who directs the study abroad

“I never thought music would be my

and musical styles. During the season,

programs and fellowships for the Honors

career, but I just couldn’t give it up,”

which runs September through May, the

Carolina program at the University of

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North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “In some ways it’s therapeutic. For me, it’s the act of community singing, creating excellent music with people as a group.”

FINE TUNING PERFECTION All members of the chorale must audition with Sturgis, who uses the experience to gain a working knowledge of each singer’s skills. “I take careful notes for each singer’s audition when they come in,” he says. “I’m also looking back very carefully at their experience and their background. Who was their conductor that they sang with in college? If I know that program, the kind of experiences they had and the repertoire they were singing, I know what they can do.” Sturgis sang in opera and musical theater before taking up the baton as a choral director in school settings. He has served as guest conductor for the New York City Ballet at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, among other guest appearances with operas and ballets. His enthusiasm for conducting shines through in the details of his craft. “It’s all about where you apply a straighter tone, where you add a decrescendo, or holding this note a little longer, the rhythmic attack,” he says. “All those things happen in the rehearsal. When we all manage to do something as an ensemble that gets us closer to our ideal for that piece, you can see the light in everyone’s eyes. It’s so rewarding.” The vocalists say their conductor deserves credit for the fine tuning. “Al is a very encouraging force,” Difino says. “He makes people at ease, and he can help you bring out some of the best of your performance skills. He inspires people to bring more to music than just the technicalities.” Sturgis also decides what music the North Carolina Master Chorale will perform. While his singers can perform the most challenging masterworks, he must also appeal to a general audience. “If I’m doing something like our Halloween show, I can do a nice mix of things that might challenge the audience a bit with stuff they don’t know,” Sturgis says. “In the second half, we will do lighter things like “Phantom of the Opera.” JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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Difino agrees, even if she is preaching

I think it’s fun to do that for both ends of

those hours of singing their hearts out.

the audience, so a more classically inclined

“It’s something the audience gets one

to the choir. “There’s something about

listener will come and enjoy things from

time, but it’s something you’ve been

being in front of people that makes you

musical theater or the vocal jazz spectrum,

living with for months,” Layton says.

want to bring your best to that moment,”

and some of our more commercially leaning

“There is still something about putting

she says. “The power of being in sync and

listeners might come in and be surprised at

on your tuxedo and walking on stage with

producing music in that way is absolutely

a piece that they didn’t know, like a really

an audience there. You get one shot at it,

emotional. You’re immersed in it, you’re

beautiful piece by Bach or Brahms.”

and then it’s done. There’s an adrenaline

surrounded by it, you’re breathing it.

rush to that experience. I absolutely

That definitely makes it magic.”

For the volunteer members of the chorale, there is indeed a payoff for all

love it.”

DONATIONS AND GRANTS HELP THE CHORALE WITH COMMUNITY OUTREACH BY KURT DUSTERBERG

he North Carolina Master Chorale plays a key role in the Triangle’s music community. You might call it the “unsung” hero of the local fine arts scene. Cary resident Chris Kastner is the executive director of the nonprofit organization. It’s her job to make sure the chorale has funding to cover a wide range of financial needs. The chorale must hire instrumentalists, purchase music and rent performance venues, necessitating an annual budget of nearly $400,000. In addition to ticket revenue, the budget is supplemented with donations, as well as city and state grants. “We do have a wonderful product to offer, but what we do is so much more than just that,” says Kastner, who joined the

Master Chorale in 2019 after eight years with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. The chorale also sponsors the North Carolina Master Chorale Youth Choir, a professionally directed program that allows high school students to prepare and perform choral music. Another initiative, the Vocal Impact Project, is led by retired choral music teacher Diane Covington, who works directly with the Wake County Public School System to enhance high school choral programs. “Our ticket revenue has been anywhere from 35–50% of our annual budget,” Kastner says. “The money we get from ticket revenues, grants and donations helps support the high school Vocal Impact Project that most people don’t know

anything about, but it’s a wonderful resource for those students who are getting it.” Ticket sales for the upcoming season are meeting expectations, but they are running behind pre-pandemic levels, Kastner says. The chorale maintained some momentum during the pandemic by recording virtual choral performances that reached a wide audience online during the extended layoff. “Our donors and supporters were so generous,” she says. “I think people want to see these organizations survive. They want to be there when we can all be out enjoying them again.” To learn more about the North Carolina Master Chorale and its upcoming season, visit ncmasterchorale.org.

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COMING IN MARCH/APRIL 2022

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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BALANCE MARTIAL ARTS | CAMP GUIDE

CAMP GUIDE

Now’s the time to make summer camp plans for your kids. Beginning in February, spots start to fill up quickly. Track-out camps and after-school programs are also offered by many of these busineses and schools. Check out our guide to find a summer, track-out or after-school experience your child will love.

Balance Martial Arts 3007 Village Market Place, Morrisville 919.463.9833 | balancemartialarts.com Balance Martial Arts offers full- and half-day weekly camps See the website for camp fees and sessions. If applicable, take advantage of the sibling discount. Early drop-off and late pickup is also available. Broadreach Summer Adventures 919.256.8200 | gobroadreach.com Broadreach summer programs offer unforgettable global adventures for teens that focus on scuba diving, sailing, marine biology, veterinary medicine and wildlife biology.

Netsports 3717 Davis Drive, Cary 919.319.9910 | netsportsnc.com Netsports is an indoor sports facility that offers year-round camps and hosts two large indoor soccer fields, as well as multiple sport courts. Summer@Saint Mary’s School 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh 919.424.4028 | sms.edu/summer Saint Mary’s School offers academic enrichment, arts and athletics camps for girls in kindergarten through early high school. Residential, full-day, half-day and extended-care programs are available June 20–24, June 27–July 1, July 11–15, July 18–22 and July 25–29. Residential camps are held Sunday–Thursday. Triangle Rock Club 6022 Duraleigh Road, Raleigh 102 Pheasant Wood Court, Morrisville 1010 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Suite 400, Durham 919.463.7625 | trianglerockclub.com Triangle Rock Club offers a variety of half- and full-day summer camps for ages 6 and older. Each camp day is filled with experiences that include climbing, games, learning opportunities, adventureoriented and goal-setting activities, and more. St. David’s Discover Camps 3400 White Oak Road, Raleigh 919.782.3331 stdavidsraleigh.org/campus-life/camps Discover Camps offer athletics, academics, STEM, arts and enrichment activities. Summer camps include weekly full- and half-day sessions for pre-K through grade 12. After-school sessions are available year-round.

Balance Martial Arts Make 2022 the best summer ever with Balance Martial Arts Summer Camp. No previous experience is necessary. Kids enjoy games, projects and outings, while gaining friendships and life-enriching skills. From the very first class, Balance Martial Arts has direct application into the everyday lives of students, promoting physical fitness and a practical method of self-defense while also fostering a greater appreciation for self-control and mental strength. Our professional black belt instructors aim to make each day at camp fun and challenging. We have beginner camps available for kids ages 5 and older, and leadership camps available for experienced martial artists and teenagers. Free early drop-off and pickup are available.

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Balance Martial Arts 3007 Village Market Place Morrisville, NC 27560 919.463.9833 balancemartialarts.com

12/16/21 1:37 AM

TRIANGLE ROCK CLUB | CAMP GUIDE

Triangle Rock Club Triangle Rock Club offers a variety of halfand full-day summer camps for ages 6–16. Each camp day is filled with climbing, learning, adventure, goal-setting, games and tons of adventure-filled memories. During half-day Base Camp, new climbers ages 6–9 learn the basics of the sport, while more experienced climbers conquer new challenges and improve their climbing abilities. Half-day Summit Camp gives climbers ages 10–13 the chance to set and reach goals while developing their skills as climbers. Full-day Climbing Camp is perfect for climbers ages 6–13 looking for a full week of climbing, adventure and fun! Full-day high-adventure Expedition Camp for ages 12–16 strengthens climbers’ abilities through days packed full of adventuring. Trips throughout the week include an afternoon of kayaking, a high-ropes team-building course, a visit to another Triangle Rock Club location and one day of guided outdoor climbing at the end of the week.

Tr i a n g l e R o c k C l u b 6022 Duraleigh Road, Raleigh 102 Pheasant Wood Court, Morrisville 1 0 1 0 M a r t i n L u t h e r K i n g J r. P a r k w a y, Suite 400, Durham 919.463.7625 trianglerockclub.com JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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NETSPORTS | BROADREACH SUMMER ADVENTURES | CAMP GUIDE

Broadreach Summer Adventures Cary Living exclusive promotion: Get $200 off tuition by entering the code WELOVECARY upon enrollment.

Broadreach summer programs are unforgettable global adventures for middle and high school students. Set sail with 11 other teens on a Caribbean liveaboard voyage. Restore a vibrant coral reef and learn to dive in Curacao. Work alongside veterinarians caring for animals in Costa Rica. Or, explore the amazing biodiversity of the Amazon. For over 25 years, Broadreach summer adventures have allowed teens to actively learn and explore scuba diving, sailing, marine biology, wildlife biology or veterinary medicine—no experience necessary. Contact us today to learn more.

Netsports

Broachreach Summer Adventures 919.256.8200 gobroadreach.com

GET SOCIAL WITH US!

Netsports Youth Sports Camps run weekly, Monday through Friday, for kindergarteners through eighth graders. The camps will get your camper moving and having lots of fun. Dropoff is as early as 7:45 a.m. and pickup is by 5:15 p.m. Netsports strives to be flexible for families, so feel free to register for one day or weeks at a time—the choice is yours!

caryliving.com @ c a ry li v i ng @ c a r y l i v i n g ma g Netsports 3717 Davis Drive | Morrisville, NC 27560 919.319.9910 | netsportsnc.com

@ c a r yli v i ng

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EVENTS

OUT&ABOUT DINE & DRAFT

NEW AROUND TOWN

SIGHTINGS

JANUARY MUTTS & MARSHMALLOWS

January 8, 11 a.m. WakeMed Soccer Park 201 Soccer Park Drive, Cary Greet the new year by running with your pooch in a 5K doggie dash, an 8K race or a 1-mile fun run, and enjoy a big mug of hot chocolate at the finish line. Entry fees are $15–$35; canine entry fees are an additional $10 and benefit the Wake County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A virtual component takes place January 1–8. Mutts & Marshmallows is part of Fit & Able’s Free-for-All Race Series.

muttsandmarshmallows.com

“NO FEAR AND BLUES LONG GONE: NINA SIMONE”

January 14, 7:30 p.m. Cary Arts Center 101 Dry Avenue, Cary “No Fear and Blues Long Gone: Nina Simone” is an intimate portrayal of the legendary North Carolina singer-songwriter Nina Simone, considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th century and a hero of the civil rights movement. Featuring local performer Yolanda Rabun, this show provides insight into Simone’s wide repertoire of music, her life perspective and sense of duty to people of color.

Photo courtesy of Glenn Parson

BLACK HISTORY MONTH ART EXHIBITS

January 14–March 1 Halle Cultural Arts Center 237 N. Salem Street, Apex The Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex celebrates Black History Month with artwork by Jahn Anderson and Charlton Cole. Anderson works in a variety of mediums and substrates, and has been painting professionally for 30 years. Cole likes to capture the beauty in nature and uses an impressionistic technique to bring each piece to life.

thehalle.org

January 19–February 6 PlayMakers Repertory Company 120 Country Club Road, Chapel Hill When the LeVay brothers bring their new girlfriends to the family’s beach house to meet the parents, mom’s gone missing and dad’s acting weird. Tensions erupt around the dinner table when old arguments about race, class and family expectations are served up in this play written by Lydia R. Diamond and directed by Kathryn Hunter-Williams.

playmakersrep.org

KALEIDOSCOPE

FEBRUARY “SYLVIA”

February 3-5, 7:30 p.m. Holly Springs Cultural Center 300 W. Ballentine Street, Holly Springs The world of a middle-aged New York couple is turned upside down when Greg brings a girl home: Sylvia, a labradoodle he finds in Central Park. Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife in this modern romantic comedy by A.R. Gurney about a marriage and a dog.

hollyspringsnc.us

MARGARET CHO

etix.com

“STICK FLY”

February 4, 7 and 9:15 p.m.; February 5, 6:30 and 9 p.m. Raleigh Improv 1224 Parkside Main Street, Cary Comedienne Margaret Cho brings her raucous entertainment to Raleigh Improv for four shows. Cho’s socially aware, no-holds-barred type of laughs has made her both a thought leader and a tolerant teacher for those with open minds and open hearts.

improv.com/raleigh

TRIANGLE RUSSIAN FESTIVAL February 12, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Halley Cultural Arts Center 237 N. Salem Street, Apex Celebrate all things Russian as you shop for homemade arts and crafts, play folk games, and enjoy Russian food and desserts like shashlik (meat kebabs), olivie (potato salad) and blini (pancakes). Festival admission is free. Tickets are required for the Russian and Georgian music and dance performances (at noon and 5 p.m.) by Golden Gates and Moscow Nights Trio.

Photo by Manuel Velasco/ Getty Images

trianglerussianfest.com

DINO & DRAGON STROLL

February 12–13 Raleigh Convention Center 500 S. Salisbury Street, Raleigh Get up close to life-like and life-size dinosaurs and dragons—some standing over 25 feet tall and spanning over 60 feet long—in a thrilling walk-through experience. Advanced animatronic and sound technology brings these prehistoric creatures to life.

dinostroll.com

BY JA N IC E LE WIN E

Be sure to check the websites for the events listed here before you head out to ensure they are still taking place.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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EVENTS

DINE & DRAFT

AFRICAN AWAZE CUISINE 904 NE Maynard Road, Cary 919.377.2599 awazecuisine.com AMERICAN ABBEY ROAD TAVERN & GRILL 1700 Center Street, Apex 919.372.5383 1195 W. Chatham Street, Cary 919.481.4434 711 N. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.762.7731 abbeyroadnc.com ACADEMY STREET BISTRO 200 S. Academy Street, Cary 919.377.0509 academystreetbistro.com APEX WINGS RESTAURANT & PUB 518 E. Williams Street, Apex 919.387.0082 apexwings.com AVIATOR SMOKEHOUSE 525 Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.557.7675 aviatorbrew.com AVIATOR TAP HOUSE 600 E. Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.552.8826 aviatorbrew.com BASS LAKE DRAFT HOUSE 124 Bass Lake Road, Holly Springs 919.567.3251 basslakedrafthouse.com CAROLINA ALE HOUSE 2240 Walnut Street, Cary 919.854.9444 carolinaalehouse.com CHICKEN SALAD CHICK 302 Colonades Way Suite 202, Cary 984.207.5516 chickensaladchick.com CITY BARBEQUE Locations throughout the Triangle citybbq.com THE CORNER TAVERN AND GRILL 1301 NW Maynard Road, Cary 919.460.0088 cornertaverncary.com DAME’S CHICKEN & WAFFLES 1823 N. Harrison Avenue, Cary 919.234.0824 dameschickenwaffles.com HANK’S DOWNTOWN DIVE 111 E. Chatham Street, Cary 919.447.4200 theumstead.com/dining HERONS AT THE UMSTEAD 100 Woodland Pond Drive, Cary 984.464.2524 hanksdowntowndive.com 78 | caryliving.com

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OUT&ABOUT |

NEW AROUND TOWN

THE GOAT 5600 Primary Drive, Morrisville 919.981.9405 lcgoat.com/durham JOYCE & FAMILY RESTAURANT 129 N. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.567.1717 facebook.com/joyceandfamily LUCKY 32 7307 Tryon Road, Cary 919.233.1632 lucky32.com THE MASON JAR TAVERN 114 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs 919.964.5060 themasonjartavern.com MY WAY TAVERN 301 W. Center Street, Holly Springs 919.285.2412 mywaytavern.com THE PEAK ON SALEM 126 N. Salem Street, Apex 919.466.6060 thepeakonsalem.comTHE PEAK ON PECK & PLUME 301 S. Academy Street, Cary 919.804.1400 peckandplume.com THE PROVINCIAL 119 N. Salem Street, Apex 919.372.5921 theprovincialapex.com RUDY’S PUB & GRILL 780 W. Williams Street, Apex 919.303.5061 rudysofapex.com SCRATCH KITCHEN & TAPROOM 225 Salem Street, Apex 160 E. Cedar Street, Cary 919.372.5370 scratchkitchenandtaproom.com TASTEFULLY SERVED Serves Raleigh, Cary, Apex, RTP 919.760.5134 tastefully-served.com TRIBECA TAVERN 500 Ledgestone Way, Cary Competition Center Drive, Morrisville 919.465.3055 tribecatavernnc.com TRIPLE BARREL TAVERN 2221 N. Grassland Drive, Fuquay-Varina 919.762.0940 triplebarreltavern.com TWO GUYS GRILLE 4149 Davis Drive, Morrisville 919.462.9336 twoguysgrillemorrisville.com WOODY’S SPORTS TAVERN & GRILL 8322 Chapel Hill Road, Cary 919.380.7737 woodysportstavern.com

SIGHTINGS

ASIAN AKAMI SUSHI BAR 1561 E. Williams Street, Apex 919.267.6368 akamisushibar.com AMBER FLAVORS AND TASTE 3607 Davis Drive, Morrisville 919.377.2550 ambercary.com ASIAN GARDEN 242 Grande Heights Drive, Cary 919.462.8598 asiangardencarync.com BANANA LEAF 1026 Ryan Road, Cary 919.468.9958 bananaleafcary.com BAAN THAI 758 W. Williams Street, Apex 919.629.6399 baanthaiapex.com C&T WOK 130 Morrisville Square Way, Morrisville 919.467.8860 ctwokrestaurant.com CHINA UNO 308 Village Walk Drive, Holly Springs 919.557.9888 china-uno.com DIM SUM HOUSE 100 Jerusalem Drive, #104, Morrisville 919.380.3087 dimsumhousemorrisville.com G.58 CUISINE 10958 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 919.466.8858 g58cuisine.com GENKI RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR 3420 Ten Ten Road, Cary 919.363.6636 genkicary.com GINGER ASIAN CUISINE 2048 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.859.8998 gingerasiancuisine.com GOJI BISTRO 100 Maynard Crossing Court, Cary 919.466.8888 gojibistro.us HIBACHI & COMPANY 708 Judd Parkway, Fuquay-Varina 919.552.8899 hibachicompany.com HIBACHI BLUE 1500 Village Market Place Morrisville 919.462.9899 hibachiblue.com JJ CAFE 2143 Ten Ten Road, Apex 919.367.8686 jjcafeapex.com

KALEIDOSCOPE

KABUKI JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE 220 Nottingham Drive, Cary 919.380.8081 kabukicary.com KASHIN JAPANESE RESTAURANT 309 Crossroads Boulevard, Cary 919.851.7101 kashin.com KOBE HIBACHI & SUSHI 515 N Main Street, Holly Springs 919.557.1437 kobehollyspringsnc.com KUMO SUSHI 2916 N. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.986.0983 kumosushifv.com LITTLE TOKYO JAPANESE RESTAURANT 1401 SE Maynard Road, Cary 919.467.5011 sushi-little-tokyorestaurant.business.site LUCKY 7 906 NE Maynard Road, Cary 919.380.7550 lucky7nc.com MEI WEI ASIAN DINER 1424 N. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.762.7128 meiweinc.com NEW RAINBOW 3427 N. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.567.8272 newrainbowchinese.com OSHA THAI KITCHEN & SUSHI 242 S. Main Street, Suite 100, Holly Springs 984.538.6742 oshathaikitchennc.com PHO 919 3504 Davis Drive, Morrisville 919.377.0318 pho919.com RED BOWL ASIAN BISTRO 2020 Boulderstone Way, Cary 919.388.9977 redbowlcary.com SUSHI AT THE PARK 1163 Parkside Main Street, Cary 984.333.0198 sushiatthepark.com SUSHI IWA 2026 Creekside Landing Drive, Apex 919.387.7022 sushiiwa.org SUSHI-THAI CARY 106 Kilmayne Drive, Cary 919.467.5747 sushithaicary.com TAIPEI CAFE 9825-G Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 919.380.8568 taipeicafemorrisville.com

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TASTE VIETNAMESE CUISINE 152 Morrisville Square Way, Morrisville 919.234.6385 tastevietnamese.com TASU ASIAN BISTRO 525 New Waverly Place, Cary 919.977.4037 shikitasu.com TERIYAKIN’ 10970 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 919.443.2279 yelp.com/biz/ teriyakin-morrisville THAI LOTUS 3450 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 150, Cary 984.229.7333 thailotusinc.com THAI SPICES & SUSHI 986 High House Road, Cary 919.319.1818 thaispicessushi.com THAI THAI CUISINE 108 Osterville Drive, Holly Springs 919.303.5700 thaithaicuisinenc.com YAMATO STEAK, SEAFOOD & SUSHI BAR 700 E. Williams Street, Apex 919.303.8088 yamatoofapex.com YOHO ASIAN BISTRO 8204 Tryon Woods Drive, Cary 919.859.8081 yohoasiancary.com YURI JAPANESE RESTAURANT 1361 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.481.0068 yurijapaneserestaurant.com ZENFISH POKÉ BAR 9924 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 919.234.0914 zenfishpokebar.com BAKERIES & DESSERT CAFES ANDIA’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM 1008 Ryan Road, Cary 919.234.0037 10120 Green Level Church Road, Cary 919.822.1866 andiasicecream.com ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD 1115 Hatches Pond Lane, Morrisville 919.650.2865 eatandys.com ANNELORE’S GERMAN BAKERY 308 W. Chatham Street, Cary 919.267.6846 anneloresbakery.com ASALI DESSERTS & CAFE 107 Edinburgh S. Drive Suite 106-A, Cary 919.362.7882 asalievents.com/cafe BESTOW BAKED GOODS 4208 Lassiter Road, Holly Springs 919.473.9225 bestowbakedgoods.com

BIG DOM’S BAGEL SHOP 203 E. Chatham Street, Cary 919.377.1143 bigdomsbagelshop.com BONAFIDE BAKESHOP & CAFE 1232 W. Williams Street, Apex 919.372.5000 bonafidebakeshop.com BRECOTEA 1144 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.234.1555 brecotea.com CARIBOU COFFEE 109 SW Maynard Road, Cary 919.319.6265 cariboucoffee.com CHANTICLEER CAFE & BAKERY 6490 Tryon Road, Cary 919.781.4810 chanticleercafe.com CHOCOLATE SMILES 312 W. Chatham Street, Suite 101, Cary 919.469.5282 chocolatesmiles.com COFFEE & CREPES 315 Crossroads Boulevard, Cary 919.233.0288 coffeeandcrepes.com CREMA COFFEE ROASTER & BAKERY 1983 High House Road, Cary 919.380.1840 cremacoffeebakery.com CRUMBL COOKIES 1105 Market Center Drive, Morrisville 919.364.1100 crumblcookies.com CULTIVATE COFFEE ROASTERS 128 S. Fuquay Avenue, Fuquay-Varina 919.285.4067 cultivate.coffee FOUNT COFFEE + KITCHEN 10954 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 984.888.5454 fountcoffee.com FRESH. LOCAL ICE CREAM 138 E. Chatham Street, Cary 919.234.1155 109 N. Salem Street, Apex 919.267.9716 freshlocalicecream.com FUQUAY SPICE AND TEA 503 E. Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina 910.985.1908 facebook.com/fvspice GOODBERRY’S FROZEN CUSTARD 2325 Davis Drive, Cary 919.469.3350 1146 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.467.2386 goodberrys.com GREAT HARVEST BREAD COMPANY 1240 NW Maynard Road, Cary 919.460.8158 greatharvest.com HAPPYCAKES CUPCAKERY 9958 Chapel Hill Road, Cary 919.694.5251 thehappycupcakery.com

HOT BREADS CAFE 1901 NW Cary Parkway, Morrisville 919.677.1331 hotbreadscafe.com JAVA JIVE COFFEE & TEA 2425 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite 403, Cary 919.655.7655 javajivecoffeeandtea.com JUICE VIBES 1369 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.377.8923 juicevibes.com LA FARM BAKERY 4248 NW Cary Parkway, Cary 919.657.0657 320 W. Chatham Street, Cary 919.650.3117 5055 Arco Street, Cary (inside Whole Foods) RDU International Airport (Terminal 2 marketplace) 984.228.0300 lafarmbakery.com MILK LAB CAFE 6418 Tryon Road, Cary 919.200.0016 milklabcafe.com NIL’S CAFE 513 Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.567.0887 nilscafe.weebly.com NOTHING BUNDT CAKES 2008 Market Center Drive, Morrisville 919.694.5300 nothingbundtcakes.com

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON BAKERY & CAFE 115-G W. Chatham Street, Cary 919.319.6554 bluemoonbakery.com PINTS ICE CREAM & BEER 512 Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.351.9704 facebook.com/ pintsicecream PURE JUICERY BAR 716 Slash Pine Drive, Cary 919.234.1572 purejuicerybar.com RISE BISCUITS & DONUTS 1100 Market Center Drive, Morrisville 919.377.0385 169 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs 919.586.7343 risebiscuitsdonuts.com ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY 302 Colonades Way #204, Cary 984.232.8325 rmcf.com SIR WALTER COFFEE + KITCHEN 242 S. Main Street, Holly Springs 919.390.2274 sirwaltercoffeekitchen.com STICK BOY BREAD CO. 127 S. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.557.2237 stickboyfuquay.com

Waverly Place - Plaza Level 302 Colonades Way, Suite 204 Cary, NC 27518 (984) 232-8325 @RMCFCary • RMCFCary@gmail.com JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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SUGAR BUZZ BAKERY 1231 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.238.7224 sugarbuzzbakery.com A TASTE OF BROOKLYN 101 N. Salem Street, Apex 919.362.8408 atasteofbrooklynnc.com VIDA DULCE 836 E. Chatham Street #104, Cary 919.378.9722 vidadulcenc.com BREAKFAST/SPECIALTY BLUEGRASS BAGELS 100 Dickens Road, Fuquay-Varina 919.285.4980 bluegrassbagels.com BRIGS 1225 NW Maynard Road, Cary 919.481.9300 1040 Tryon Village Shopping Center, Cary 919.859.2151 brigs.com CHA HOUSE TEA 1319 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 984.465.0498 chahouseusa.com DALLAS FAMOUS CHICKEN N’ BISCUITS 1101 E. Williams Street, Apex 919.362.0051 DAYBREAK 154 E. Chatham Street, Cary 919.439.1181 daybreaknc.com DICED GOURMET SALADS & WRAPS 1377 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.377.8572 7157 O’Kelly Chapel Road, Cary 919.678.5004 dicedsalads.com DUCK DONUTS 100 Wrenn Drive #101, Cary 919.468.8722 duckdonuts.com EGGS UP GRILL 1436 N. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.285.4463 eggsupgrill.com FAMOUS TOASTERY 316 Colonades Way #201C, Cary 919.655.1971 famoustoastery.com FIRST WATCH Locations throughout the Triangle Firstwatch.com FLIP SIDE DONUTS 9958 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 919.234.0121 flipsidedonuts.square.site MISSION MARKET 124 N. Salem Street, Apex shopthemission.com

ECLECTIC CHEF’S PALETTE 3460 Ten Ten Road, Cary919.267.6011 chefspalette.net CORELIFE EATERY 200 Crossroads Boulevard, Suite 100, Cary 919.726.6261 corelifeeatery.com MAXIMILLIANS GRILL & WINE BAR 8314 Chapel Hill Road, Cary 919.465.2455 maximilliansgrill.com POSTMASTER 160 E. Cedar Street, Cary 919.378.9493 postmastercary.com FRENCH REY’S 1130 Buck Jones Road, Cary 919.380.0122 reysrestaurant.com GERMAN DIER BIERGARTEN 1080 Darrington Drive, Cary 919.650.1565 biergartencary.com INDIAN BAWARCHI GRILL & SPIRITS 800 W. Williams Street, Apex 919.363.9000 bawarchiapex.com BIRYANI MAXX INDIAN CUISINE 590 E. Chatham Street, Suite 102, Cary 919.377.0346 biryanimaxxindiancuisine.com CILANTRO INDIAN CAFÉ 107 Edinburgh S. Drive, Suite 107, Cary 919.234.1264 cilantroindia.com HIMALAYAN NEPALI CUISINE 746-A E. Chatham Street, Cary 919.466.0550 himalayannepalicuisine.com HYDERABAD HOUSE BIRYANI PLACE 3735 Davis Drive #105, Morrisville 919.535.3163 hydhousertp.com KABABISH CAFÉ 201 W. Chatham Street, Suite 103, Cary 919.377.8794 kababishcafe.com NAZARA INDIAN BISTRO 1945 High House Road, Cary 919.694.5353 nazaranc.com TOWER INDIAN RESTAURANT 144 Morrisville Square Way, Cary 919.465.2326 towernc.com

UDUPI CAFE 590 E. Chatham Street, Suites 112 and 144, Cary 919.465.0898 sriudupicafe.com/contact.php IRISH DOHERTY’S IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT 5490 Apex Peakway, Apex 919.387.4100 1979 High House Road, Cary 919.388.9930 dohertysirishpubnc.com ITALIAN ANNA’S PIZZERIA 100 N. Salem Street, Apex 919.267.6237 138 S. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.285.2497 annaspizzeria.com BABYMOON CAFE 100 Jerusalem Drive, Morrisville 919.465.9006 babymooncafe.com BELLINI FINE ITALIAN CUISINE 107 Edinburgh S. Drive #119, Cary 919.552.0303 belliniitaliancuisinecary.com BOCCI TRATTORIA & PIZZERIA 2425 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.803.5358 bocciitalian.com DANIEL’S RESTAURANT & CATERING 1430 W. Williams Street, Apex 919.303.1006 danielsapex.com ENRIGO ITALIAN BISTRO 575 New Waverly Place, Suite 106, Cary 919.854.7731 dineenrigo.com GARIBALDI TRATTORIA 900 N. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.552.8868 garibalditrattoria.com LUGANO RISTORANTE 1060 Darrington Drive, Cary 919.468.7229 luganocary.com MAMMA MIA ITALIAN BISTRO 708 Laura Duncan Road, Apex 919.363.2228 mammamianc.com OSTERIA G 5160 Sunset Lake Road, #101, Apex 984.229.7480 osteriag.com PRO’S EPICUREAN MARKET & CAFE 211 E. Chatham Street, Cary 919.377.1788 prosepicurean.com ROMA’S ITALIAN DELI & PIZZERIA 203 N. Harrison Avenue, Cary 919.468.1111 romasitalian.net

RUCKUS PIZZA, PASTA & SPIRITS 1055 Pine Plaza Drive, Apex 919.446.6333 8111 Tryon Woods Drive, Cary 919.851.3999 1101 Market Center Drive, Morrisville 919.388.3500 ruckuspizza.com MEDITERRANEAN/ MIDDLE EASTERN BABA GHANNOUJ MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 2468 Walnut Street, Cary 919.233.0907 108 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs 919.762.7851 babaghannouj1.com BOSPHORUS RESTAURANT 329-A N. Harrison Avenue, Cary 919.460.1300 bosphorus-nc.com JASMIN & OLIVZ MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 1109 Ledsome Lane, Cary 919.469.1112 9934 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 919.234.6900 jasminbistro.com MEDITERRA GRILL 108 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs 919.762.7851 mediterranc.com NEOMONDE 10235 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 919.466.8100 neomonde.com SAI KRISHNA BHAVAN 10970 Chapel Hill Road, Cary 919.481.0910 saikrishnabhavan.com SASSOOL 1347 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.300.5586 sassool.com TURKUAZ MARKET 203 N. Harrison Avenue #110, Cary 919.455.1890 turkuazmarketnc.com MEXICAN ARANDAS MEXICAN CUISINE 5460 Apex Peakway, Apex 919.362.7363 arandasmexcuisine.com A’VERDE COCINA AND TEQUILA LIBRARY 2300 Walnut Street, Cary averdecary.com BRAVO’S MEXICAN GRILL 208 Grande Heights Drive, Cary 919.481.3811 bravosmexicangrill.net BURRITO SHAK 2982 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.267.6772 burritoshak.com EL DORADO 112 E. Vance Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.557.0287 eldoradomexican restaurant.com

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EL LOBO MEXICAN RESTAURANT 1311 E. Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.557.9540 facebook.com/ellobofv FIESTA MEXICANA 2839 Jones Franklin Road, Raleigh 919.859.1303 fiestamexicananc-cary.com 990 High House Road, Cary 919.378.9895 fiestamexicana nc-nwcary.com 428 Village Walk Drive, Holly Springs 919.346.1330 fiestamexicananchollysprings.com LA RANCHERITA GRILL & TEQUILA BAR 102 N. Salem Street, Apex 919.303.2448 laranchnc.com LA TAQUERIA MEXICAN GRILL 973 E. Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.552.5532 LOS TRES MAGUEYES 110 SW Maynard Road, Cary 919.460.8757 lostresmagueyescary.com 325 N. Main Street, Holly Springs losmagueyesnc.com 919.552.6272 401 Wake Chapel Road, Fuquay-Varina 919.552.3957 lostresmagueyes.com/ varina-nc LOS TRES MEXICAN RESTAURANT 10120 Green Level Church Road, Suite 202, Cary 919.267.5444 lostresmagueyes greenlevel.com 1301 E. Williams Street, Apex 919.367.6797 lostres-nc.com 995 Airport Boulevard, Morrisville 919.465.0217 morrisvillemexican restaurant.com MI CANCUN 1106 Grace Park Drive, Morrisville 919.650.1718 micancunmx.com RANCHO GRANDE 1401 SE Maynard Road, Cary 919.469.4245 taqueriaranchogrande.com TACO ADDICTS 131 Crossroads Boulevard, Cary 919.896.8043 taco-addicts.com

TACOS MEXICO RESTAURANT 1430 N. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.439.8047 tacosmexicorestaurant.com TACOS MEXICO RESTAURANT & CANTINA 209 E. Williams Street, Apex 919.362.8074 tacosmexicoapexnc.com TORERO’S AUTHENTIC MEXICAN CUISINE 1207 Kildaire Farm Road, Suite C, Cary 919.468.8711 torerosmexican restaurants.com TOTOPOS STREET FOOD & TEQUILA 1388 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.678.3449 totoposfoodand tequila.com ZAMBRERO 1151 Parkside Main Street, Cary 919.863.2561 zambrero.com PERUVIAN ALPACA PERUVIAN CHARCOAL CHICKEN 9575 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville 919.378.9259 alpacachicken.com LUCKY CHICKEN 1851 N. Harrison Avenue, Cary 919.678.3153 MARCO POLLO 1871 Lake Pine Drive, Cary 919.694.5524 marcopollocary.com PIZZERIAS ANNA’S PIZZERIA 100 N. Salem Street, Apex 919.267.6237 138 S. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.285.2497 annaspizzeria.com BLAZE PIZZA 316 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs 919.557.4990 1024 Market Center Drive, Morrisville 919.261.5941 blazepizza.com BROTHERS OF NEW YORK PIZZA 3450 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.629.6000 DI FARA PIZZA TAVERN 111 E. Chatham Street, Cary difarapizzatavern.com

JOHNNY’S PIZZA 96 Cornerstone Drive, Apex 919.659.8700 johnnyspizzacarymenu.com J&S NEW YORK PIZZA 804 Perry Road, Apex 919.363.0071 2025 Renaissance Park Place, Cary 919.650.3492 500 Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina 919.557.6921 jandsnypizza.com MICHELANGELO’S PIZZA 928 U.S. Highway 64, Apex 919.462.8880 michelangelosinapex.com 7280 GB Alford Highway, Holly Springs 919.557.4992 michelangelospizza.com MILANO PIZZA 7509 Purfoy Road, Fuquay-Varina 919.557.6093 sites.google.com/site/ milanopizzafv MOD PIZZA 316 Colonades Way, Suite 206-C, Cary 919.241.7200 modpizza.com/ locations/waverly THE ORIGINAL NY PIZZA 6458 Tryon Road, Cary 919.852.2242 831 Bass Pro Lane, Cary 919.677.8484 634 Holly Springs Road, Holly Springs 919.567.0505 theoriginalnypizza.com PAPA’S SUBS & PIZZA 511 N. Main Street, Holly Springs 919.557.1919 papassubspizza hollysprings.com THE PIZZA DUDE 1763 W. Williams Street, Apex 919.303.6686 ncpizzadude.com PIZZERIA FAULISI 215 E. Chatham Street, Suite 101, Cary 919.377.8244 pizzeriafaulisi.com RANDY’S PIZZA 4129 Davis Drive, Morrisville 919.468.3737 randys-pizza.com RICCI’S TRATTORIA 10110 Green Level Road, Suite 108, Cary 919.380.8410 riccistrattoria.com ROMEO’S PIZZA 800 W. Williams Street, Suite 160, Apex

919.355.2920 romeospizza.com ROSATI’S PIZZA 3605 Davis Drive, Suite 107, Morrisville 919.380.7000 rosatispizza.com/ location/morrisvillenc SALVIO’S PIZZERIA 2428 SW Cary Parkway, Cary 919.467.4600 salviospizza.com V PIZZA 1389 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.650.1821 vpizza.com YOUR PIE 685 Cary Towne Boulevard, Cary 919.378.9578 yourpie.com SEAFOOD THE BLIND PELICAN 120 Bass Lake Road, Holly Springs 984.225.2471 blindpelicanseafood.com THE FULL MOON OYSTER BAR 1600 Village Market Place, Morrisville 919.378.9524 fullmoonoysterbar.com

SKIPPER’S FISH FRY 1001 E. Williams Street, Apex 919.303.2400 skippersfish.com TONY’S TAPS & OYSTER CO. 107 Edinburgh S. Drive, Cary 919.234.1600 facebook.com/ beermusicoysters STEAK HOUSE CAPITAL CITY CHOP HOUSE 151 Airgate Drive, Morrisville 919.484.7721 chophousesofnc. com12q RUTH’S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE 2010 Renaissance Park Place, The Arboretum at Weston, Cary 919.677.0033 ruthschris.com Cary Living advertisers have been highlighted. Some restaurants do not have websites and must be contacted by phone. A more comprehensive list of restaurants can be found at caryliving.com. Please call or check websites for takeout options.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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EVENTS

DINE & DRAFT

OUT&ABOUT NEW AROUND TOWN

SIGHTINGS

KALEIDOSCOPE

A’VERDE COCINA + TEQUILA LIBRARY

At press time, LM Restuarants was on target to open its newest venture, A’Verde Cocina + Tequila Library, early this year in the former Wild Wing Cafe location in Cary. The restaurant’s upscale design was led by locally acclaimed restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias. The menu, created by Chef Katsuji Tanabe, will offer authentic Mexican cuisine with local ingredients and freshly made tortillas, in addition to a variety of tequilas, cocktails and beer. 2300 Walnut Street, Cary

averdecary.com

Photo courtesy of A’Verde Cocina + Tequila Library

HYDRATE MEDICAL OPENS CARY LOCATION

Hydrate Medical, an IV hydration and wellness clinic, has opened its second location in Wake County at the Arboretum in Cary. The clinic features a luxe, spa-like environment where customers can relax during IV hydration therapy sessions. Each IV drip contains a unique blend of vitamins and minerals to treat illnesses, jet lag, hangovers and more. 2025 Renaissance Park Place, Unit 2024, Cary 919.371.0134

cary.hydratemedical.com

Photo courtesy of Hydrate Medical

FEEL-GOOD FOOD WITH A FEEL-GOOD PURPOSE

Zambrero, a Mexican-inspired restaurant on a mission to end world hunger, has opened its newest location in Cary’s Parkside Town Commons. The restaurant chain partners with Rise Against Hunger to donate a meal to someone in need for each burrito or bowl purchased. Choose from a variety of slow-cooked meats and top your selection off with their fresh-made salsas and guacamole. It’s a win for your body, mind, soul and taste buds! 1151 Parkside Main Street, Cary 919.863.2561

zambrero.com

Photo courtesy of Zambrero

PLAY-BASED PRESCHOOL OPENS IN APEX

Gilden Woods Early Care and Preschool has opened its first North Carolina location in Apex. The school features a nurturing, child-centered, playbased program for children ages six weeks to 10 years. With the center’s electronic daily reports and livestream video feed, parents can rest assured that their children are in good hands throughout the day. 1001 Vision Drive, Apex 919.446.1861

gildenwoods.com/locations/gilden-woods-apex

Photo courtesy of Gilden Woods Early Care & Preschool

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EVENTS

OUT&ABOUT DINE & DRAFT

NEW AROUND TOWN

SIGHTINGS

KALEIDOSCOPE

NOW THAT’S A BIG CABBAGE!

Holly Springs third-grader Stockton Hall was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Bonnie Plants for his “Best in State” 40-pound cabbage. Bonnie Plants relaunched the Cabbage Program this year as a remote-friendly outdoor education activity. The company sent each participant a starter cabbage plant and the lessons needed to care for and nurture their plant. Congratulations Stockton! Photo by Lynnette Hull

SCHOOL’S VILLAGE IN MORRISVILLE CELEBRATES RIBBON-CUTTING

BY CIN DY HUNTLEY

School’s Village, a one-of-a-kind shopping plaza featuring services for kids and families, celebrated its opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in November. Special guests included 2012 Olympic gold medalist Claire Donahue, professional triathlete Jennifer Kenney and Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley. The plaza’s current tenants include AKM Investments, MyGym, Safesplash Swimlabs Swim School and Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids. Domino’s Pizza, Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and Khara Orthodontics are slated to open soon. Photo courtesy of AKM Investments

COMING IN MARCH/APRIL 2022

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HOME & GARDEN SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Showcase new home developments and builds, design and landscape professionals, and much more in our Home & Garden special section.

CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION 919.782.4710 midtownmag.com ⅼ caryliving.com advertise@midtownmag.com ⅼ advertise@caryliving.com JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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EVENTS

DINE & DRAFT

OUT&ABOUT NEW AROUND TOWN

“This purple teapot was a broken ceramic sugar dish to which I added a handle and spout. I use found objects—like a sugar dish—and breathe new life into the object by adding beads, feathers, and other odds and ends to my pieces.”

SIGHTINGS

KALEIDOSCOPE

GINNIE PARRISH FLORAL TEAPOT

P O LY M E R C L AY O V E R C E R A M I C B A S E 8 BY 8 BY 8 INCHES

-- Ginnie Parrish

R A D I A L PAT T E R N S

BY CHARLOTTE RUSSELL

Cary-based artist Ginnie Parrish crafts whimsical, functional and decorative art objects like teapots, trinket boxes, jewelry, bowls and other vessels made of polymer clay. Originally drawn to the material more than 25 years ago, polymer clay is her medium of choice because it is a versatile and accessible material that does not require a lot of equipment, and is easy to start and stop working on. The technique she uses to create intricate patterns and designs is the millefiori, or cane-making, technique. In the millefiori technique, brightly colored components of clay are layered to form a long cylinder. The image and pattern goes lengthwise throughout the tube. When sliced, each segment is a duplicate of the design. She then adheres the radial patterns onto the object, and fires the colorful polymer art in her home oven. Parrish earned a degree in studio art and worked in a number of different mediums before falling in love with polymer clay. She started

Blue Frog Designs in 1995 from her home studio in Cary. Her polymer art is available at the Cary Gallery of Artists, the North Carolina Crafts Gallery in Carrboro and Preston Flowers & Gifts in Cary. View more of her work at bluefrogclay.com, via Instagram @parrishginnie and on Etsy @Bluefrogclay. 84 | caryliving.com

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Cary Living magazine January February 2022

Articles inside

KALEIDOSCOPE

BRAIN-BOOSTING FOODS

MUSIC

COMMUNITY

HOLISTIC FITNESS

CHEF’S TABLE