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2017

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f you’re anything like me, this is not the first page you go to in the magazine. Instead, I bet you look at all the photos before you read anything. Tell me, what’s your favorite eye candy in this issue? You hardly have to be a fashion diva to become spellbound by the sophistication and style showcased in our Spring Fashion portfolio (page 80). The fashion, the stylists, the models—all from our own little Triangle! The professionals from Models for Charity were such a talented group to partner with, and it’s wonderful that working with them benefits local charities. We also wanted to reinforce that fashion is for everyone, so we asked local leaders to model as well. Ironically, Vanvisa Nolintha arrived at our fashion shoot unsure of “how to model.” But her composure, poise, and arresting beauty proved captivating—and her cover photo speaks to the essence of how we define fashion: as comfortable as it stylish, more about building personal confidence than making a public statement. In a similar fashion, the photo essay, Living in Nature’s Light (page 114),

showcases how the modern design of a North Raleigh home positions the homeowners to live in transparency with their wooded setting. Their preferences for privacy and nature take precedent over the more traditional focus on designing a home for curb appeal. Increasingly, we’re going to continue to bring you stories that are dramatically visual—but there’s always going to be good reading as well. In this issue, Carol Wills’ story about Hope Reins (page 44) will touch your heart; Corbie Hill’s interview with Rhiannon Giddens (page 50) is stellar; and Alex Dixon’s profile of Cheetie Kumar (page 54) will whet your appetite for a visit to Garland. For my money: The most surprisingly fun read was Don Vaughan’s study on TwoMorrows Publishing (page 60). Who knew Raleigh and comic books were so entwined? But the one I keep referring back to? Gardening Tips! Thanks to writer Cheryl Capaldo Traylor for the perfect primer on pruning, planning, and planting (page 100).

Connie Cheers to spring,

Photography Davies Photography | Joe Reale F8 Photo Studios | Raleigh Food Pics Distribution Manager Joe Lizana

Midtown 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. Midtown magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photography or art. Unsolicited material is welcome and is considered intended for publication. Such material will become the property of the magazine and will be subject to editing. Material will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Midtown 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 midtownmag.com 4818-204 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609 Ph: 919.782.4710 | F: 919.782.4763

SPRING

FLAIR

STYLE

CONNIE GENTRY

& COMFORT

Editor / Publisher

Your opinions matter to us. Let us know what you think of this issue of Midtown magazine. Please email connie@midtownmag.com with your comments.

VANVISA NOLINTHA

co-owner of Brewery Bhavana and Bida Manda

MARC H /AP RI L

2 0 1 8

HOMES & REAL ESTATE

Special thanks to Joe Reale for our beautiful cover photo of Vanvisa Nolintha. See page 96 for more.

6 | midtownmag.com

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contents M A R C H

A P R I L

2 0 1 8

features 69 SPRING OUTDOORS!

The season’s fun festivals, events, and places to play.

80 FASHION FINDS

Sophisticated style to casual comfort, spring finery has arrived!

100 GREEN THUMBS FOR ALL Gardening tips for pruning, planning, and planting.

HOME GARDEN PROFESSIONALS PAGE 125

114 PHOTO BY KEITH ISAACS

LIVING IN NATURE’S LIGHT

A modern design gives this North Raleigh home a transparent view across its wooded setting.

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contents M ARCH

APRIL

2018

departments 16 ON THE SCENE 26 BEER & BARREL 30 MIDTOWN LIVING 32 NEWCOMER NEWS 36 RAISING THE BAR 38 FOODIE FOCUS 40 HOMESTYLER 44 GIVING BACK 50 CANDID CONVERSATION 54 CHEFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TABLE 60 MINDING YOUR BUSINESS 66 TASTES OF THE CITY 137 DINING GUIDE

CANDID CONVERSATION

with RHIANNON

GIDDENS

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144 HEALTHY YOU 151 OUT & ABOUT 162 KALEIDOSCOPE LIVING

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The scene Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Connect!

BY BRITTANY MURDOCK

SOCIAL

Tatiana Amador was the winner of our giveaway for a $50 gift card to Irregardless Cafe & Catering.

Adrienne Shrieves (left) won tickets to NC Theatre's Love Letters and a $100 gift card to 18 Seaboard. She invited her co-worker and friend Daphne Kay Dowell to join her for a night full of fun!

We celebrated our 2018 Diamond Award winners at the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel last month. A big thanks to everyone who came out for a fun night. For pictures visit: davies.gallery/2018Diamond.

Catch a sneak peak into our Spring Fashion photo shoot with Joe Reale.

We went on a Scotch Adventure at Whiskey Kitchen all thanks to Tabletop Media Group. This Scotch egg was just one of five courses, each paired with the finest Scotch.

Our office got a new look thanks to AllPro Window Films.

Get Social With Us! www.midtownmag.com

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The scene

TASTE

Coffee Champion NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF ART BARISTA STEPH CARONNA POURS ON A COMPETITIVE LEVEL. By Corbie Hill | Photos courtesy of NCMA

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IF YOU STOP BY STEPH CARONNA’S coffee kiosk in the West Building of the North Carolina Museum of Art, you may walk away with a rosetta, a heart, or a tulip in your latte. And if lattes aren’t your scene, there are distinctive cappuccinos, iced coffees, or even tea drinks. And if caffeine isn’t your scene, no matter—locally roasted decaf beans can taste quite good, this barista points out. Indeed, Caronna knows coffee can be art. She excitedly describes the drinks she’ll be preparing for Art in Bloom, NCMA’s annual festival of flowers occurring this year from March 22nd–25th. And she does so with the same enthusiasm as an artist discussing a new creation: “We are doing a White Chocolate Orange Blossom Mocha, and we’re doing the Lavender London Fog, which is a tea latte. And then there’s the Violet Mint Latte or a Jasmine Lime Iced Tea. We [plan] to hit every taste.” Other times, Caronna takes her coffee talents on the road. Earlier this year, she competed in the U.S. Coffee Championships’ barista competition, as she has for six years. And this year, as in 2017,

2018

she cleared the qualifying rounds and will participate in the national competition in Seattle in April. The competitions are intense: Competing baristas have ten minutes to make two drinks and present their background information. Caronna seems to enjoy the pressure, and she’s not the only local barista who does. “The U.S. barista champions who won the world competition in the last two years actually work in Wake Forest,” Caronna says. “They live in Durham, and they’re really good friends of mine.” (Kyle Ramage, the 2017 champion, and Lemuel Butler, 2016 winner, are coowners of Back Alley Coffee Roasters in Wake Forest.) When you compete, Caronna explains, you first pick a coffee you want to present in some way. She gets her beans from Raleigh Coffee Company, and this year her variety of choice is a relatively new plant from Ecuador— one with fruity, grape-type notes to it. In her allotted ten minutes, she presents it as espresso, and then she makes a signature beverage that complements her bean of choice. For this year’s coffee, she’s incorporating a local jasmine green tea, a grape and white balsamic shrub, and a lime leaf around the glass. The judges will score on technique, but mostly on sensory elements like flavor. “The beverages are really small; they’re like an ounce and a half,” Caronna explains. “They’re like really tiny cocktail beverages, but without alcohol in them.” Back home, the competitions are less intense— and actual cocktails may be involved. The Triangle and Charlotte areas both have vibrant coffee communities, Caronna notes, and with such communities come specialty coffee parties like latte art throwdowns. About once a month, baristas converge in a local coffee shop. They each toss $5 in a pot, and the competition begins. There are prizes for best latte art, with the winner taking home the pot itself. It’s fun—yeah, baristas like to get together, drink beer, and make coffee—but these competitions celebrate skills that baristas learn from each other, and then fine-tune while slinging drinks behind their respective counters. “It takes years to figure out how to [make latte art] if no one’s teaching you, and then to perfect it to a point,” Caronna says. “To be able to do it in a busy shop, when you’re pumping out drinks, is pretty intense.”

DIAMOND

AWARD BEST ORTHODONTIST

midtownmag.com | 21

The scene

PHOTO BY RODNEY BOLES

MUSIC

Not Retro, Not Vintage: Timeless

By Bryan C. Reed

Twenty years ago, Raleigh’s 6 String Drag seemed poised for a breakout. The alt-country quartet had already cut their teeth as local peers like Whiskeytown were just forming. By 1996, the band was readying its landmark sophomore album, High Hat, for release on Steve Earle’s E-Squared imprint. (Earle produced the album too.) 2018 feels similarly promising for the band. In addition to giving High Hat a deluxe vinyl re-issue in January, the quartet of singer/guitarist Kenny Roby, bassist Rob Keller, guitarist Luis Rodriguez, and drummer Dan Davis will release its fourth studio album, Top of the World, with a

ALT-COUNTRY VETERANS 6 STRING DRAG MOVE BEYOND REUNION MOMENTUM WITH THE EXCITING AND EXCELLENT NEW ALBUM TOP OF THE WORLD.

22 | midtownmag.com

scenario,” Roby says. “They can just hand a record off that they’ve paid for and the label will take over.” Having weathered the tumultuous record business for decades, Roby has earned perspective. “Your commercial goals have to take a backseat to the artistic goals,” he says. “So I put a lot more focus on that.” And with Top of the World as evidence, that focus has paid off. Besides, 6 String Drag is more than a creative outlet; it’s a family. Upon releasing 2015’s Roots Rock ‘N’ Roll—a snappy throwback to 6 String Drag’s classic soulcountry-rockabilly simplicity, which briefly brought original drummer Ray Duffey and guitarist Scotty Miller back into the fold—Roby noted, “Being back with these guys sure felt like home again.” After Duffey and Miller departed again, 6 String Drag soldiered on with Rodriguez and Davis, who joined the band in 2014 and 2016, respectively. But the band’s principal duo, Roby and Keller, have helmed the band from the beginning, debuting as 6 String Drag in 1993. Their partnership has been the band’s constant. In their 20s, Roby and Keller were roommates and co-workers at the Clemson, South Carolina record store Keller’s parents owned.They’d play records by Little Feat or the Louvin Brothers in the shop all day, then try to cover the songs together at night. “It was so formative,” Roby says. “It’s so much of the basis for my music, whatever I do. So to have Rob back around is like a long-lost brother. It’s comfortable.” Carried by lifelong friendship, a balance of veteran chemistry, fresh inspiration, and the simple goal of making bar-rock good enough to warrant playing on a stereo, 6 String Drag persists. Alt-country legacy or not, major record deal or not, the band is a treasure.

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headlining show at The Pour House on March 9th. And, indeed, Top of the World finds the band in fine form, reinvigorated by new members and polished with veteran finesse. “In our 40s, we get to be in a band that feels exciting and fresh,” says frontman Kenny Roby. Exciting, fresh, and—quite possibly—as great as they’ve ever been. Comparing Top of the World to High Hat, it’s clear that 6 String Drag’s restless creativity and broad span of influences hasn’t waned. Where the ‘90s iteration of the band gleefully added shots of classic rockabilly, Dixieland jazz, and vintage punk into their rootsy bar-rock brew, the current incarnation offers a smoother, but no less dynamic, approach. “Small Time Punks” roars with Class of ‘77 vigor, while Roby reminisces vividly about the early days of his rock ‘n’ roll career. But on “Every Time She Walks on By,” the band buoys a power-pop riff with swells of soulful organ, and with the title track, Roby gives his croon a weary creak for a plaintive ballad reminiscent of his gorgeous 2013 solo album, Memories & Birds. Front to back, Top of the World showcases a band not only capable of synthesizing influences, but also of bringing nuance and personality to rock ‘n’ roll’s well-trod territories. It’s not retro or vintage, it’s timeless. But the machinations of the music industry don’t offer the same promise they once did. To wit, the trip to Kernersville’s Fidelitorium Recording Studios and assistance from producer Jason Merritt—both vital to Top of the World’s rich sound—were subsidized by fan support via a PledgeMusic campaign. The imprint associated with Raleigh’s stalwart vinyl shop Schoolkids Records adds support in distribution and promotion. “For most bands, that’s the best-case

midtownmag.com | 23

Thescene

SHANE DITTMAR AT BLIND IDOL SEMIFINALS

COMMUNITY

Making the Arts Accessible to All

ARTS ACCESS BOARD AND STAFF WITH FIRST LADY KRISTIN COOPER AT THE 2017 OPENING RECEPTION FOR A SERIES OF FORTUNATE EVENTS.

By Carol Wills | Photos courtesy of Arts Access ARTS ACCESS BEGAN IN 1984 WITH a few individuals who were convinced that enjoying and participating in the arts should be made possible for everyone— including people with disabilities such as autism, blindness, or physical challenges. Betsy Ludwig, who has worked with Arts Access for nine years and has been the executive director for the past four years, describes it as the only nonprofit in North Carolina dedicated to making the arts accessible to everyone, and it is currently serving more than 1,600 people annually. “We are the only organization in the Triangle to offer audio description (AD),” says Ludwig. AD is a narration service 24 | midtownmag.com

for individuals who are blind or have low vision. The audio describer provides an ongoing description of the visual elements or action taking place on the stage or screen. The patron using this service wears an ear piece, so they can hear the describer explain the visual elements and be able to more fully enjoy a performing arts event. “We do not narrow our mission or work to any one disability, age, or art form,” Ludwig explains. “Organizations like Raleigh Little Theater, CAM Raleigh, VAE, N.C. Museum of Art, and many others partake in our workshops and training to better include children and

adults with disabilities in their programs. When you make things accessible, you make them better for everybody.” Another service and outreach effort of Arts Access is the annual spring artist series “A Series of Fortunate Events,” where the organization hosts talent showcases featuring artists with disabilities in various fields such as visual art, music, theater, and film. Shane Dittmar, who was one of 52 artists participating in last year’s SOFE, is a perfect example of someone who has navigated the issue of a visual impairment to create a career in the arts. Although legally blind, Dittmar, a

24-year-old music educator and composer, is also a vocalist and has sung with numerous choral groups. He has worked extensively in musical theater, including as a composer and music director for Raleigh Little Theater and throughout the Triangle. “Music and theatre have changed my life and defined who I am, but my blindness often makes seeing shows or finding opportunities harder,” Dittmar says. “Art Access’ work helps to level the playing field for me, for my students, and for everyone.”

A Series of

Fortunate

EVENTS May 3rd and 4th

Kick-Off Receptions May 5th

Concert at Lincoln Theatre May 10th

Film Screening at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema May 12th

Kids Art Exhibit at Sertoma Art Center May 16th

Theatre Showcase at Theatre in the Park Tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and event information can be found at FortunateEvents.org or by calling 919.833.9919.

midtownmag.com | 25

beer& barrel TRÁLI IRISH PUB AND RESTAURANT HAS LOCATIONS IN BRIER CREEK AND MORRISVILLE.

Stout for Spring BY JULIE JOHNSON

IN IRELAND, ST. PATRICK’S DAY is a day to attend mass, enjoy local parades, and go on family outings. On these shores, March 17th has become the date for Irish expatriates to affirm their heritage, and for the rest of us to indulge in the sentimental fantasy of wishing we were Irish, too. Somehow this takes the weird form of dyeing cheap lager green, then drinking too much of it. If you want to hoist a beer to honor your Irish ancestors (or pretend for a day that you have some), stout is the beverage of Ireland. In an Irish pub, you’ll find about half the patrons enjoying this opaque, black ale all year-round. With its low alcohol content (roughly the same as a Budweiser), a stout is the perfect beverage for a convivial night with friends and conversation. The name Guinness is synonymous with stout. The Dublin giant, founded by Arthur Guinness in 1759, is the source of the name stout for this style of beer (formally known as Irish dry stout). Transplanted Irishmen and women pine for the perfectly poured glass of Guinness, said to be at its best

26 | midtownmag.com

in Dublin, and even tastier the closer the pub is to the brewery gates. But this longed-for pint—inky black, topped with a pale tan head the consistency of lightly whipped cream—is a new wrinkle in the brewery’s nearly 260-year history. Technical innovation (and deft marketing by Guinness) has revised the image of a stout that Irish drinkers at home and stout lovers overseas now think of as solidly “traditional.” Modern Irish stouts owe their characteristic silky texture to the invention of a nitrogen-driven system to dispense the beer, as opposed to the carbon dioxide–driven systems used to pour other draft beers. Unlike CO2, which is a by-product of fermentation, nitrogen does not occur naturally in beer; it has to be added. In the 1950s, researchers at Guinness discovered that nitrogen forced into a keg of beer would, like carbon dioxide, protect the beer from the damaging effects of oxygen. But nitrogen also produced much smaller bubbles and resulted in a rich, silky texture and a smooth, round flavor. The influence of nitrogen on

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stout was so influential that it launched two different trends. First, nitro-keg became the standard for all Irish stout on draft. Breweries started using the nitrogen-dispense system for other beer styles, as well. To this day, enthusiasts love the velvety texture and creamy head a nitro-dispense delivers. Although detractors complain that the blanket of nitrogen blocks aroma and mutes flavor, when it comes to stout, the roasty, almost chocolatey character of stout shines through. Although nitro-kegs took over pubs, for a time the bottled version consumed at home retained its prenitro character. Then, thanks again to Guinness researchers, enter the widget: a little device that could replicate the nitrogen tapping system in cans and bottles. When a chilled container of beer is opened, a capsule containing the correct mix of nitrogen and carbon dioxide creates the tiny bubbles and creamy texture. To call the resulting pour “draft in a can” isn’t the oxymoron it first seems. In 2003, fascinated British drinkers who dissected empty Guinness Draught cans to understand their secret voted the widget the greatest technological invention of the previous 40 years, beating out both the internet and cloning. But although the widget allows a stout drinker to enjoy a “proper” pint at home, this only recreates a small part of the Irish pub experience, which typically offers welcoming ambiance and lively chat, facilitated by good food and drink, and perhaps some music. The social aspect of a good night out is important enough to merit its own name in Irish: craic. To share in this experience— whether on March 17th or not—look for an Irish bar that prizes good cheer over the Kiss-Me-I’m-Irish antics. Seek out a patient bartender who takes the necessary minutes to bring a pint of stout to perfection. Shun the hot wings and nachos that may have crept onto the menu and opt for the oysters—a surprisingly good pairing with stout—or a hearty stew. Then greet your neighbor, and settle in for a leisurely evening, stout in hand.

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PHOTO BY ED BRISTOL

Rhythm and Hues A North Hills artist reflects on the women in his life who inspired his dual career playing beach music and painting Carolina scenes. BY ED BRISTOL | PHOTOS COURTESY OF LARRY DEAN

North Raleigh’s Larry Dean was a college freshman playing in a country band when he heard his first beach music song, a paean to a head-turning temptress. But it was the real women in his life who led him to a career in that musical genre and, more recently, into one creating art. As a boy in Oxford, Dean would draw simple sketches while his mother painted on canvas. She went blind when he was six, so she encouraged him to take up music since it was an art she could enjoy with him. He took piano lessons until he started college, where one of his buddies played the beach music classic, Miss Grace, for him. Then and there, he became entranced with the signature sound of the coastal Carolinas. Soon after, Dean’s girlfriend, Sharon (who later became his wife), took him to see the beach band North Tower. She’d heard they were looking for a piano player and told him he should give it a shot. “So I did, and 37 years later I’m still 30 | midtownmag.com

doing it,” he says. The band’s lead singer and keyboardist, he became part owner in 1980 and sole owner in 1996. He’s drawn not only to the swing beat of the music but also to its culture and followers. He particularly enjoys the cross-section of people at public events, like the beach band performances at Raleigh’s North Hills each summer. Currently, the band tours across the Carolinas and southern Virginia, averaging three gigs a week during the warm months. He says the demands of touring have become second nature. “I’m perfectly happy staying up until three in the morning and getting up at the break of lunch,” he laughs. In 2000, his wife gifted him with art classes at the Sertoma Arts Center. “I intended to take the classes to make her happy, then drop it,” he remembers. But in short order, he decided that it wasn’t “the miserable six weeks I thought it was going to be.” Moreover, he says, “the

teacher came up and told me, ‘You know you can do this for a living.’” Nine months later, Dean placed first in the amateur division at the N.C. State Fair art competition. Now, following an art teacher’s advice to paint what he knows, his work includes many Tar Heel landscapes, cityscapes, and seascapes. “I know North Carolina,” he says, “because I’ve driven two million miles back and forth across it with the band.” Dean works in his home studio in North Hills, with inspiration from photographs he’s taken so the paintings look as close as possible to his vision for a piece. After brief stints with other Raleigh galleries, his exclusive exhibitor for a number of years has been ArtSource.

Seven years ago, his wife told him that the Sertoma Arts Center had run an ad for an art teacher and urged him to check it out. He did and was hired on the spot. “First there was one class,” he notes, “and now I’m teaching three.” A student of his since he began the classes, Cheryl Siegel has a Larry Dean landscape hanging in her Raleigh dental office. She loves its color and vibrancy. “You feel like you’re walking right into the river and looking out over the mountains,” she says. Now an accomplished artist herself, Siegel has also sold a painting and accepted two commissions from friends. Looking back at his career, Dean jokes, “All my jobs are what other people consider hobbies.” But he’s more serious when reflecting on the influence of family members on his life choices. Without his mother’s encouragement, he says he’d never have taken up the piano. And her gift for painting planted a seed that would germinate later in his life. In 2012, Dean lost his wife, Sharon Taylor Dean, after a four-month battle with cancer. Without her belief in him, he’s sure he’d never have joined the enduringly popular North Tower band or found success with acrylic on canvas. “Why she thought I should try the art thing and the teaching thing, I have no idea,” he says. “I would never have picked up a paintbrush if she hadn’t cajoled me into it.” Five hundred sold paintings later, he’s still at it. “I’ll always remember her,” he says, softly, “every single day.” And then adds, smiling, “If she were still here, she’d probably have gotten me into something else.”

midtownmag.com | 31

newcomer news

Taking the Hurricanes by Storm Hang on, hockey fans. Change is on the way. 32 | midtownmag.com

BY KURT DUSTERBERG PHOTO COURTESY OF CAROLINA HURRICANES

Tom Dundon was introduced as the new majority owner of the Carolina Hurricanes on January 11th, and he arrived with a decisive strategy, despite a few anomalies. He’s new to town, lives a few states to the west, and is new to the game of franchise ownership. Dundon, the chairman of Dundon Capital Partners, a Dallas-based private investment firm, has never owned a sports franchise. He describes himself as “not a hockey guy.” But with a diverse business career and the instincts of a serious sports fan, he feels well suited for the challenge. He grew up attending NHL games in New York, and he has close ties to the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, including a friendship with team owner Mark Cuban. So when Dundon began pursuing ownership of the Hurricanes last fall, he was alarmed by what he saw at his first visit to a home game.

“I came to the game and it didn’t look like what I would want it to look like,” he says. “If I’m going to be involved, I have what I consider the right way to do things, and this isn’t it.” The Hurricanes once enjoyed a lofty place on the Triangle sports landscape. When previous owner Peter Karmanos Jr. brought the team here from Hartford, Connecticut, in 1997, the Hurricanes endeared themselves to local fans. They reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2002, and won the NHL’s championship in 2006. Carolina’s neophyte fans were quickly the envy of the hockey world, and became widely known for tailgating at play-off games and—memorably— standing throughout Game 7 of the Finals in 2006. Since then, however, the Hurricanes have made just one playoff appearance, in 2009. Their current eight-year post-season drought is the longest among NHL teams, and attendance has sagged to the bottom of the league. The continued losing is an obvious problem, but Dundon is taking a firstthings-first approach. Already, he has tinkered with endless small details to enhance the fan experience. For Carolina’s game on January 30th, he allowed all ticket holders with upperlevel seats to move down to the lower bowl of PNC Arena. The decision was good for the fans and good for the game atmosphere. And in February, the Hurricanes offered a nine-game pass beginning at $97—less than the cost of one game for many lower-bowl seats. Dundon says he will also insist on players having more interaction with the fans. Already the team has adopted a new procedure for taking the ice at the start of games: Rather than walking directly from the locker room, the players now enter through a “fan tunnel,” and more personal connections are on the way. “These are young, fascinating people who have made it to the top of their profession,” he says. “As people [get to] know [the players], that’s how we will make them fans. What’s realistic is to gain an emotional attachment to these really talented, committed athletes.” However, the changes won’t stop there. He has repeatedly suggested

midtownmag.com | 33

that the Hurricanes will be “best in class” when his changes are put in place. And that includes the arena as well as the community engagement. Eventually, a state-of-the-art scoreboard will be installed above the ice. “It’s just taking the time and effort, and investing the money and the attention to detail, to get to that level,” the 46-year-old owner declares. “If people are going to spend their money, they should get value for it.” Fans will appreciate all of the cosmetic changes, but Dundon knows that putting a winning team on the ice is critical to the mission. During his four-year tenure as general manager, Ron Francis has stuck to his plan of drafting and developing players who will make Carolina a regular play-off participant. So far, it’s still a team under construction. The Hurricanes lack the standalone stars that most play-off teams have. That’s an issue.

34 | midtownmag.com

Those players are sometimes available by trade or through free agency, but the Hurricanes have rarely had an appetite for making a splash. That could be changing. “I’m not patient,” Dundon told the gathering at his introductory press conference in January. “It’s not going to work for me to be patient.” So Hurricanes fans will have plenty to watch in the off-season. The new owner’s mission will reach every corner of the franchise. “I’m never happy with the way we do things,” Dundon said. “Getting a bunch of people—whether it’s players, coaches, or people on the business side—to enjoy that process, that’s probably the hardest thing about this. I’d prefer to be accountable. I know we’re not going to do it all right the first time. If you’re willing to mess it up, and fix it until you get to the best outcome, I like that process.”

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However, beginning next year, alimony payments established by court order or by settlement agreement will be treated differently. The payor spouse will no longer be able to claim the tax deduction for alimony, and the recipient spouse will no longer claim the alimony payment as income for tax purposes. The new tax treatment under the TCLA will not apply to modifications of a settlement agreement or to a court order establishing alimony payments, unless it is specifically stated that the new tax treatment of alimony applies to the modification. With the passage of the TCLA, alimony settlements will almost certainly be more difficult to achieve, because the payor spouse loses the major incentive of deducting the payments from the income they would have previously received. Additionally, the parties, attorneys, and judges will be required to consider the smaller pot of money at the payor spouse’s disposal in determining the amounts to be paid. If alimony is an issue in your separation and divorce, you should speak with an experienced family law attorney and tax professional so that you can properly consider the effects of the TCLA on the amount of alimony you might pay or receive.

BY KELLEY W. CASH Kelley Cash focuses her practice on all aspects of North Carolina family law litigation and negotiations. Wake Family Law Group wakefamilylawgroup.com

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36 | midtownmag.com

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Sean Lennard has been catering in the Triangle for more than 15 years, and his blog is a go-to foodie hotspot. He taps into local restaurant partners and his online catering business, Triangle Food Guy, serves events of all sizes. Check out TriangleFoodBlog.com for weekly news.

38 | midtownmag.com

March 17th is the date for the second annual Food Shuttle Garden Gallop 5K, to benefit the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Growing School Gardens program. Sunday, May 6th brings another installment of the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo to Fayetteville Street. More than 50 food trucks from around the state will spread out over 11 city blocks, serving great tastes from noon to 6pm. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina will host a culinary event called Thrive NC at Raleigh’s City Market on May 10th and 11th. The two-day food festival will feature chefs from 50 North Carolina restaurants and will highlight the fact that 1.5 million people in the state struggle to buy affordable and fresh foods.

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Tonbo Ramen, from the owners of Kanki, recently opened in the Moore Square District at 211 S. Wilmington Street in downtown Raleigh. They are serving up quintessential Japanese ramen dishes, such as Tonkotsu, Shio, and Shoyu. Also they have an upstairs izakaya bar, their version of a Japanese speakeasy, where you can enjoy craft cocktails and small plates. In the interest of watchful reporting: A sign has now been added to the outside of the soon-to-be Wahlburger’s on downtown Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street. Still no word on when the brothers and their burgers will actually arrive. As this issue goes to press, the new Italian restaurant called Osteria G is slated to open on February 22nd at 5160 Sunset Lake Road in Apex—that’s the spot formerly held by Little Hen. We are excited to announce that Fusion Fish, the global Asian fusion restaurant featuring sushi, spirits, and cocktails— located in the former One spot in Chapel Hill’s Meadowmont center—debuted with a “soft opening” in February. At press time, their “official” opening was slated to be on March 1st.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

Come Hungry!

These are the people and places helping to put the Triangle at the forefront of the national foodie scene: Kudos to Van and Vanvisa Nolintha, the brother and sister duo who founded Brewery Bhavana, along with their business partner and head brewer, Patrick Woodson. Brewery Bhavana is the only N.C. semifinalist for the James Beard Best New Restaurant award. On the list of semifinalists for Outstanding Chef is Raleigh’s own Ashley Christensen, of Poole’s Diner and Death & Taxes fame. Cheetie Kumar, owner of Garland, is on the list for Best Chef: Southeast (to learn more about Cheetie and Garland, check out the story on page 54). And looking beyond Raleigh to the wider Triangle, you’ll find Gabe Barker of Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro among the semifinalists for Rising Star Chef of the Year, and Sean Lilly Wilson of Fullsteam Brewery in Durham is in the running for Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional.

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giving back

Where Hope and

Horses Heal

On a 33-acre ranch, children whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had too much pain in their lives find gentle friends.

When Gabe and Marcus met on a hot July day a meaningful relationship began, and with it the start of Hope Reins. Turns out, Gabe, a former party pony, was the perfect friend for a 10-year-old foster boy who had been rescued from a horrific home life. Marcus, who was once forced to eat dog food for nourishment, was the first child to benefit from an equine counselor at Hope Reins.

BY CAROL WILLS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE INDIE IMAGE

FINDING QUIET AND CALM IN THE FIELDS OF HOPE REINS.

44 | midtownmag.com

THE EVENTS THAT MADE THE WOMAN. THE WOMAN WHO MADE THE MUSIC.

THE MUSIC THAT CHANGED HISTORY. That was in 2010, the year when Kim Tschirret envisioned the idea for a healing ministry for youngsters dealing with distressed circumstances, whether that was a history of neglect or abuse, or a traumatic event like losing a parent or sibling. Tschirret felt that interacting with horses—feeding them, grooming them, riding them, and, most importantly, developing a relationship with them—would benefit children who were hurting. Today, Hope Reins has served 2,000 children, ranging from five to 18 years old, from 14 eastern North Carolina counties. It grew from a single pasture rented from Bay Leaf Baptist Church to a spacious 33-acre ranch and a herd of 16 horses, with many in the herd having been rescued themselves. To promote healing, Hope Reins hosts therapeutic sessions between the child, the horse, and a session leader. Adult volunteers who are gifted with horse experience and who have a love for children help lead the one-on-one 90-minute sessions. These sessions are completely free for the children and their families. Over the past seven years, Hope Reins has conducted more than 8,000 sessions, providing support for children from many different backgrounds and a range of challenging circumstances—some have suffered abuse or neglect; others are coping with grief, debilitating anxiety, and chronic or life-threatening illness; and some are living in an at-risk environment. In addition to serving as a session leader, volunteers at Hope Reins can help in a number of ways. Currently, there are 190 volunteers and the opportunities to become involved range from doing chores on the farm to working with families: Listeners are adults with a heart for families, and they provide encouragement and a listening ear to the parents and guardians of the session kids. Play Pals serve as part of a team that brings fun and laughter to the siblings of the session kids. Feeders spend time with the horses and serve on a team to keep the horses healthy and well fed. The Property Team keeps the ranch welcoming, beautiful, and functioning, while the Hospitality Team welcomes newcomers into the Hope Reins family by giving tours on Saturday mornings. The Development Team assists with marketing, communications, social

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media, events, donations, and community relations. All of the work that keeps the ranch going is done by volunteers and Hope Reins also partners with a number of community organizations like Ronald McDonald House, the Durham and Raleigh Rescue Missions, the Boys and Girls Clubs, and organizations connected with the military. Project Fight, an initiative sponsored by the Salvation Army to provide shelter and rescue for victims of sex trafficking, is another of Hope Reins’ community partners. It takes teams of volunteers, community partnerships, and the support of many donors to keep the operation running effectively. The horses, whose patience and affection make such a difference in these children’s lives, require feeding, grooming, and veterinary care. There are always opportunities to sponsor a horse, and the cost of sponsoring one horse is $250 per month or $3,000 per year. Giving, in itself, can offer healing to those who are hurting, and a generous donation from Fielding and Kim Miller supplied the means to build a much-needed covered arena where children and horses could be sheltered from cold winds in the winter and blazing sun in the summer. The arena is named Cameron’s Arena in memory of the Millers’ daughter, who took her own life a little over a year ago. The immense steel structure, wrapped in wood, measures 12,000 square feet. Large fans, ceiling lights, and electric side walls that enclose the arena enable Hope Reins to serve children and horses year-round, despite fading daylight hours or inclement weather. Hope Reins continuously benefits from the dedication and creativity of its volunteers, who see new opportunities and make them happen. Take Jim Reason, who serves as a session leader, but also began to teach children how to fish in the two ponds on the property. This effort culminated in the first Hope Reins’ Fishing Tournament last May. Collectively, 15 children caught 61 fish.

46 | midtownmag.com

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There’s also a Hope Reins Community Garden, started four years ago by Denise Etheridge. She now maintains the garden along with Suzanne Carr, who, as the garden team coordinator, lays out the garden and decides what to plant. If you feel inspired to

volunteer at Hope Reins, please come by on a Saturday morning between 8:30 and noon, and take the tour at 10am. The address is 8420 Wake Forest Highway, and you will find an application for a volunteer position or a chance to donate on the website: HopeReinsNC.org.

Beyond award-winning music,

RHIANNON GIDDENS is a vocalist on many fronts.

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MUSIC RUNS DEEP IN Rhiannon Giddens' family. Her dad and her uncle play, as did their dad. Her sister and her aunt sing, and her nephew is a rapper. Her cousin, Adam Joyce, is the guitarist for Greensboro experimental rock duo The Bronzed Chorus. And Joyce told me I should ask Giddens what her favorite Nintendo game was. "He's still sore because I accidentally wiped his Legend of Zelda," Giddens says, cracking up. "His mom actually tells that story more than he does. I don't think he probably cares." As for her favorite Nintendo game? It's Kid Icarus. Indeed, Greensboro is important to Giddens for familial bonds and memories like these— and for the birth of her own music—but her story extends out of Greensboro and across oceans. The 41-year-old musician first rose to prominence as banjoist and fiddler of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, a Durham trio that set out to reclaim AfricanAmerican contributions to string band music. From there, Giddens’ career continued to rise. Her first solo album scored a Grammy nomination, while last year she was the keynote speaker at the IBMA World of Bluegrass Business Conference. She has been a recurring character on the CMT show Nashville, and her second solo record, Freedom Highway, came out in 2017.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RHIANNON GIDDENS

2018

MM: With the song “Freedom Highway,” why did you want to cover that and also make it your title track? RG: There’s a great singer-songwriter named Bhi Bhiman who opened up for us for a few tours, and he started singing “Freedom Highway.” I was like, “Oh man, that song is so good!” I’d forgotten about it, that Staple Singers song, and we started doing it at the shows. It was such a great version ... It was not the title cut when we put it on there. It was going to be the finale for sure. The record was originally called At The Purchaser’s Option. I will leave you to figure out why, but it was directly after the [2016] election that we changed it to Freedom Highway. People ask if the record was a response to these things: No, the record is a response to the last 500 years of American history—but that name change definitely was a direct response.

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MM: I was going to ask about you touring less, but it really doesn’t sound like you’ll be traveling any less by any stretch. RG: Exactly! But I’m definitely going to be touring less after the summer. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my kids [in Ireland], and working on some large-scale projects that need time off the road. There’s a ballet that I’m working on, and I’m still pushing forward with this proposed production on the Massacre of 1898 in Wilmington that’s

kind of been a centerpiece for me. _________________________________

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Midtown magazine: Can you tell us more about your decision to move to Nashville?

Rhiannon Giddens: I was in Nashville a lot, filming the TV show and for other things, and my management’s there, and my financial folks are there. I’ve got a lot of friends there who are in the industry. Every time I’m there, I’m just kind of realizing how easy it is to be a musician in Nashville. There’s a support system there that’s not in a lot of other cities. All my family is in Greensboro, so I’ll always be coming back to Greensboro, for sure, to see them. _________________________________

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On top of all that, last year Giddens was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, a so-called “Genius Grant” that celebrates exceptional creativity and ability. It will give Giddens the freedom to tour less, yet that doesn’t mean she’s slowing down or even traveling less. Indeed, Giddens lives in Limerick, Ireland, and Greensboro, though she’s in the process of moving her U.S. base to Nashville. And besides, she does have a handful of live dates still on her plate, including an April 14th stop at Raleigh’s Memorial Auditorium. “I’m just kind of taking it a bit easy for the rest of the year in terms of gigs. And then I don’t know what the future will bring,” Giddens says. “I know I would love to get the band together again and do another record, I just don’t know when or how or what, yet. I’m trying to not make assumptions about what’s going to come. That kind of kills artistic creativity.” _________________________________

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MM: Your nephew, Justin Harrington, raps on “Better Get it Right the First Time,” which is about police shootings and how young black men have to navigate interactions with police. Can you tell me about working on that song with him? RG: I wrote it with my co-writer Dirk Powell. We wrote it one night just because we had been talking about this stuff. I had been thinking about my nephew very much whenever we talked about it, and this song started writing itself. As soon as I started writing it, I knew I wanted Justin to be a part of it. We actually recorded the song without him, and then I gave him the piece and I said, “Look, this came about in part because of conversations with you, and about how you feel about walking outside, and how you feel about engaging with the world the way it is right now—and it’s really important to me for you to put your voice in this.” He’s a rapper. That’s the way he contributed, was through rap. He is very outspoken and he is very much an activist. It seems to be a family calling (laughs). He toured with me all last year and we performed the song. It was really amazing to watch how comfortable he became onstage and the audience’s reaction. It was just great. _________________________________ MM: From your IBMA speech, how do you reclaim the contributions of African-American musicians in American roots music? How do you bring their narratives back? RG: One of the ways of doing it is exactly what I did: just talk about it for half an hour in front of the bluegrass conference. It’s just taking the opportunity to lay out a watertight argument on the history. The thing is, all of the scholarship is out there. People have done exhaustive research. There’s no reason not to talk about it from a historical point of view. Musically, the Carolina Chocolate Drops was a direct response to the missing narrative of African-Americans in Old Time music. That’s the other way to do it.

Have a suggestion for next issue’s Candid Conversation? Send it to us: info@midtownmag.com.

chef ’s table

Raleigh’s Rockstar Chef The owner of Neptune’s Parlour and Kings found time to not only release and promote an album with her band, but also to open an Indian- and Asianinfluenced restaurant. BY ALEX DIXON PHOTOS BY DAVIES PHOTOGRAPHY

CHEETIE KUMAR IS A SEMIFINALIST FOR THE 2018 JAMES BEARD AWARD FOR BEST CHEF: SOUTHEAST.

The pappadum served with the tandoori chicken plate at Garland in downtown Raleigh isn’t your standard wafer-thin disc of lentil flour. In fact, it isn’t even really pappadum at all; it’s chicken skin, which makes the dish what head chef and Garland owner Cheetie Kumar calls deconstructed fried chicken, paired with tandoori roti, raita, green chutney, and seasonal pickles. Like her food, Kumar doesn’t fit neatly into any category of chef or business owner or musician. Kumar moved from India to the 54 | midtownmag.com

Bronx in New York City when she was eight, though she has lived in the South longer than anywhere else. Throughout her life, she’s picked up creative influences from everywhere, whether it’s eating falafel in Berlin while touring with her band, Birds of Avalon, or drying carrots, turnips, and cauliflower on jute in the winter sun as a child to ensure the vegetables created a crunchy pickle. “When the idea of a restaurant came across I thought about how to honor my roots without being dishonest with my own life,” Kumar says. “I can’t call myself

just an Indian person. I can’t say I’m a plain American. I’m a Southerner because I’ve lived here longer than anywhere else, but I don’t have the memories of my grandmother making biscuits and I can’t say that she ever used bacon; it’s just not really a part of our heritage, but where do I fit into all that?” Kumar, a self-taught chef, opened Garland as a dine-in restaurant in 2014 after starting it as a walk-up window for several months. As the owner of cocktail lounge Neptune’s Parlour and music venue Kings, Kumar

had experience in running a business, but branching out to operating a restaurant was a whole new world. “When I was reading cookbooks I wasn’t aware I was training myself; I was cooking and catering every once in a while and having dinner parties or whatever. Something told me I was practicing, but I didn’t think of it that way,” Kumar says. “The lease got signed and we thought, ‘We can open a bar, OK, we can open a

venue…oh God, we have to open a restaurant.’ It was definitely trial by terror, but I started working on one dish at a time and pretty soon it started clicking.” Kumar deliberately didn’t put naan on the menu: “You can get that at every Indian restaurant, and our restaurant isn’t Indian food; it’s home cooking,” she says. The small plates section gives Kumar and her staff a chance to highlight seasonal products, such as the braised beets with Fuyu persimmons, pickled fennel, dukkah, and crème fraîche. With business running smoothly, Birds of Avalon released its first new album in nine years, titled Operator’s Midnight, but Kumar admits she doesn’t have nearly as much time to practice, record, and tour as she did before. “Playing music has allowed me the opportunity to travel a lot, and it was a neat way to study food culture and dining culture, so that definitely influenced how we approached the vibe in building Garland, how it looked, and all of the little design elements,” Kumar says. “Beyond that, just making music and writing songs and recording a record are creative parallels to cooking food that’s seasonal and not necessarily easily defined.” While it seems Kumar has her plate full with three businesses and a band, she certainly hasn’t ruled out new opportunities going forward. “We would love to do more stuff,” she says. “Raleigh is such a fast-growing city and there’s always lots of great spots that are really interesting, but we don’t want to get in over our head until we’re ready.”

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17-EAT-002054-Eatmans_August-Walter-02.indd 1

8/11/17 1:59 PM

Curry Paste:

South Indian

Coconut Fish Curry Serves 4 to 6 | Courtesy of Cheetie Kumar and Garland

INGREDIENTS: 2 to 3 pounds of very fresh firm, sustainable mild fish filet, such as snapper, bass, or tile, skinned with pin bones removed Sea or kosher salt 2 Tbsp coconut oil 1 Tbsp grapeseed oil ½ medium red onion, sliced cup curry paste (see recipe below) 12 fresh curry leaves* A splash of unoaked white wine 2 cups fish or vegetable stock, unsalted ½ cup water

2 Tbsp garlic, finely chopped 1 Tbsp ginger, finely chopped 2 Tbsp shallot, roughly chopped ½ tsp finely chopped serrano (adjust to taste) 2 tsp ground coriander seed 2 tsp grated fresh turmeric (or use ½ tsp powder) Pinch of cayenne pepper In a blender or magic bullet, purée all ingredients until very smooth. Add a little water if needed. Make the curry paste and set aside. (Can be done in advance and refrigerated overnight.)

Tarka Ingredients: (step 8 in recipe) 1 Tbsp grapeseed oil 1 tsp brown mustard seed 1 small shallot, finely diced ½ minced Thai or serrano pepper 6 to 8 curry leaves ½ can of high quality coconut milk (such as Chaokoh) 2 tsp jaggery*, palm sugar or cane sugar (more or less, to taste) Fresh lime juice, to taste Cilantro sprigs, and shaved radish or quartered cherry tomatoes, to garnish *Fresh curry leaves and jaggery can be found at Indian markets. It is important to have all your ingredients ready before you begin. Once you start, this dish comes together quickly.

STEPS: 1) In a deep, wide skillet or shallow Dutch oven, heat half of the oils and sauté the sliced onions, seasoned with salt, until translucent. 2) Push the onions to one side; add the remaining oils, and quickly fry the curry paste over high heat. Once fragrant and starting to caramelize, push to one side and add the curry leaves. 3) Once the curry leaves pop (add a bit more oil if the pan is dry), combine onions, curry paste, and 56 | midtownmag.com

curry leaves in the pan and deglaze with a generous splash of white wine and a pinch more salt. 4) Cook, while stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes until the alcohol has burned off. 5) Add the stock and water, stir, and reduce heat to medium until simmering. Cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes over low heat. Meanwhile, season fish generously with salt and let sit while you heat a well-seasoned heavy-bottomed pan or cast iron skillet until very hot. 6) Add 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil to the heavy-bottomed pan and, once shimmering, add the fish filets side by side; donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t overcrowd the pan. If necessary, cook in batches. Cook on one side, gently pressing with spatula to get maximum contact with the hot pan. Depending on the thickness of the filet, the sides should start to turn opaque while the top is still somewhat translucent.

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7) Remove the filets from the pan and transfer to a plate to hold. 8) (*Tarka) Turn the heat back up and add 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil into the pan. Quickly add the mustard seeds andâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;as soon as the seeds begin to pop (10 to 15 seconds)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;toss in the shallots, immediately followed by the chopped hot pepper and curry leaves. Season with salt and stir until sizzling and aromatic. 9) Add the coconut milk and stir, scraping any bits that may have stuck to the bottom. 10) Transfer the entire contents of the pan to the first skillet/Dutch oven and stir to combine. Add the sugar, if desired. 11) Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until everything has married and is simmering softly. Add the fish, seared side down, and turn the heat to very low. 12) Cook until fish turns completely opaque. Squeeze fresh lime and adjust salt if needed. 13) Serve fish filets on rice, with a ladle of the curry broth, shaved radish seasoned with salt and lime juice, cilantro, and any crispy pickles you may have on hand. In the summer, quartered grape tomatoes are a nice accompaniment. midtownmag.com | 57

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718

01 TH EATRE 2

midtownmag.com | 59

minding your business

Niche Publisher Makes Raleigh the Capital of Comic Book Lore BY DON VAUGHAN PHOTO BY DAVIES PHOTOGRAPHY

John Morrow didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t set out to become a publishing mogul. When the Raleigh-based graphic designer distributed the first photocopied issue of The Jack Kirby Collector in 1994, it was simply to honor the work of his favorite comic book artist. Morrow sent the newsletter to a few hundred likeminded Jack Kirby fans and was surprised by the enthusiastic response. A second issue followed, then a third. By the eighth issue, The Jack Kirby Collector was being sold in comic book shops nationwide.

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“When we saw how people responded to The Jack Kirby Collector, it was obvious that there was a real hunger for information about comics history,” Morrow says. “Fans wanted something that would really document the history, treat the creators respectfully, and present the information in a more professional way than had been done in the past.” Realizing they’d found their niche, Morrow and his wife, Pam, established TwoMorrows Publishing, a company focused almost exclusively on comic books and the men and women who create them. In addition to The Jack Kirby Collector, the company publishes Alter Ego, which spotlights the Golden and Silver Ages of comic books; Back Issue, for fans of comics from the 1970s and ‘80s; Draw!, about the craft of comic book illustration; Comic Book Creator, which profiles individual artists; and BrickJournal, for Lego enthusiasts. This summer, TwoMorrows will premiere RetroFan, a new magazine about pop culture in the 1960s and ‘70s. “On the topic of comic books, TwoMorrows is a leader in the field of critical studies,” observes Rick McGee, co-owner of Foundation’s Edge, a comic book store in downtown Raleigh. “They’re bringing new readers to the hobby, as well as a strong sense of nostalgia for older comic book fans.” TwoMorrows Publishing is a lean company with just three full-time employees; all others are freelance contributors. But those contributors are some of the most knowledgeable in the business, Morrow notes. Alter Ego editor Roy Thomas, for example, was Stan Lee’s right-hand man at Marvel Comics in the 1960s, and became the company’s editor-in-chief in the ‘70s. Thomas also possesses an almost encyclopedic knowledge of comic book history and creators. And Michael Eury, who edits Back Issue and RetroFan, was a writer and editor at DC Comics and Dark Horse. “I have intentionally surrounded myself with some of the best, most experienced professionals in the industry,” Morrow says. “Nearly everyone who edits our magazines is a comic book professional.” Comic book–focused magazines are just one aspect of TwoMorrows Publishing. The company also produces hard- and soft-cover books—more than 150 to date—that explore the history of comic books, individual creators, and specific aspects of popular culture.

IN ADDITION TO THE JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR, TWOMORROWS PUBLISHES BACK ISSUE FOR FANS OF 1970S AND ‘80S COMICS. THIS SUMMER, THEY WILL PUBLISH RETRO FAN, ABOUT POP CULTURE IN THE 1960S AND ‘70S.

62 | midtownmag.com

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The latter is a relatively new direction for TwoMorrows Publishing, but one that Morrow feels has tremendous potential. The first book in the line—Monster Mash, written by Mark Voger— explores the monster craze of the 1950s and ‘60s. Groovy, also by Voger, is a fun look at “When flower power bloomed in pop culture,” according to its cover. “I was born in 1962, so I missed out on a lot of the counter culture movement, but learning about it is fascinating to me,” says Morrow. “When Groovy was pitched to me, even though I didn’t live through that, I realized it was a book that needed to be published, and I thought we could find an audience for it.” Like any business, TwoMorrows Publishing faced its share of challenges as it struggled to find its footing. Coming from a graphic design background, the Morrows knew much about design and printing—but almost nothing about distribution. “I was flying by the seat of my pants early on,” Morrow admits. Over the years, Morrow has watched almost all of his competition fall by the wayside, many a victim of the Internet. “We survived because we weren’t reliant on covering the latest, hottest thing and trying to get a jump on the websites, because you just can’t do it with a monthly magazine,” he says. “We cover history, and history never goes out of style.” Another advantage has been the company’s relatively small size. “Because we’re so lean, we can produce books and magazines on a lower budget than many other publishers,” Morrow notes. “We can sell 2,000 or 3,000 copies of a book about a particular artist, whereas the larger publishers would require sales of 30,000 minimum.” Next year will see the 25th anniversary of TwoMorrows Publishing, and the company plans to celebrate with a book about its history and growth, new editions to its American Comic Book Chronicles series, and other projects. Reflecting back, Morrow has finally become comfortable in his role as a publisher. “We have a really nice niche here,” he says. “It’s worked well for us.” 64 | midtownmag.com

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JC RAULSTON ARBORETUM AT NC STATE

The climate may not be the only reason folks move to Raleigh (or the reason those who were raised here stick around), but it’s a powerful motivator. Winters are relatively mild, and spring is easy. If you’re looking for excuses to go outside now that it’s warm again, we’re right there with you.

Below, find a few

ideas for outdoor fun between now and May. This isn’t everything by any stretch, but it should at least get you started.

To find a Western

Wake list of festivals and spring events, please pick up a copy of our sister publication, Cary Living.

SPRING

OUTDOORS! BY CORBIE HILL

midtownmag.com | 69

WHAT: Prairie Ridge Ecostation WHERE: Gold Star Drive, Raleigh WHEN: Monday through Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday: noon to 4:30 p.m. COST: FREE INFORMATION: NaturalSciences.org/prairie-ridge THE SCOOP: Once upon a time, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ Prairie Ridge Ecostation was a cow pasture. Nowadays, you can find a pond, a bottomland forest, and a prairie grassland—all native North Carolina ecosystems—on its placid grounds. The Ecostation is convenient to most parts of Raleigh, too—it’s basically across Blue Ridge Road from the North Carolina Museum of Art.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NC MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES

WHAT: Raleigh Little Theatre/ Raleigh Rose Garden WHERE: Pogue Street, Raleigh WHEN: Ongoing COST: Varies INFORMATION: RaleighLittleTheatre.org THE SCOOP: Raleigh Little Theatre’s community productions run the gamut from children’s plays to performances with mature themes. In the coming weeks, family-friendly entertainment includes the play Big Bad in area libraries until March 24th. Beanstalk! The Musical! runs from March 16th to April 1st, and Alice @ Wonderland runs April 13th to 22nd, with a special sensory-friendly performance on April 28th. As for drama for mature audiences, local playwright Mike Wiley's adaptation of Blood Done Sign My Name opens May 11th and runs through the 27th. On the RLT campus, visitors will also find the Raleigh Rose Garden, one of only three accredited rose gardens in the state. 70 | midtownmag.com

ART IN THE GARDEN, THE ANNUAL ARTS FESTIVAL TO BENEFIT RALEIGH LITTLE THEATRE, WILL BE HELD ON MAY 6TH, THE HEIGHT OF THE SPRING ROSE BLOOM. PHOTO BY TIM MCKAY

WHAT: St. Patrick’s Day Weekend WHERE: Downtown Raleigh WHEN: March 17th and 18th COST: See details INFORMATION: RaleighStPats.org; NCcomicon.com/oak-city THE SCOOP: Two distinct events draw crowds downtown on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. One, the Raleigh St. Patrick’s

Day Parade, wends through downtown at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Immediately after the parade, the Wearin ‘O the Green Festival hits the 400 block of Fayetteville Street. Admission is free to both parade and fest. Practically next door to the green-clad St. Paddy’s revelers you’ll find people playing dress-up for a very different reason. North Carolina Comicon: Oak City hits

RALEIGH ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

the Raleigh Convention Center March 17th and 18th, meaning superheroes and other elaborately outfitted cosplayers will also be promenading through downtown. If you're into comics—or if you simply adore pop culture—and you want to see what all the fuss is about, NC Comicon admission is $30 on Saturday or $20 on Sunday, with kids nine and under admitted free.

WHAT: Seventh Annual Spring Egg Hunt WHERE: J.C. Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh WHEN: March 27th to 31st COST: FREE INFORMATION: jcra.ncsu.edu THE SCOOP: Just across the tracks and on the far side of the beltline from Meredith College, J.C. Raulston Arboretum is an oasis of calm, almost despite the buzz of nearby traffic. Every spring, this arboretum hosts its own version of an egg hunt. Here’s how it works: Kids stop by JCRA’s visitor center to pick up an answer sheet, then scour the grounds for colorful, hidden eggs. Each egg has a letter written on it, and once kids collect the letters and unscramble the secret word, they return to the visitor center to claim a prize. This hunt is free and self-guided. Even when the egg hunt isn't taking place, JCRA remains one of Raleigh’s outdoor jewels. Its 10 acres include a serene Japanese garden, a desert-like scree garden, and a lath house full of fascinating and unusual plant varieties. It’s the ideal spot to clear your head and capture a moment of Zen.

WHAT: HerbFest WHERE: South White Street in historic Downtown Wake Forest WHEN: April 20th to 22nd, and April 27th to 29th; SPRING EGG HUNT; PHOTO COURTESY OF THE STAFF OF THE JC RAULSTON ARBORETUM.

72 | midtownmag.com

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday COST: FREE INFORMATION: Herbfest.net THE SCOOP: Just a short drive north of Raleigh proper, Wake Forest’s HerbFest is an excellent destination for those who want to grow their own heritage and heirloom herbs—as well as tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables. So check this out and put some variety in your garden. Your palate will thank you later.

WHAT: Out! Raleigh WHERE: Fayetteville Street, Raleigh WHEN: May 5th, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. COST: FREE INFORMATION: OutRaleigh.org THE SCOOP: Out! Raleigh is a huge, inclusive block party that raises funds for the LGBT Center of Raleigh. There’s a KidsZone for families, assorted food vendors, a beer garden, and entertainment. Indeed, since Out! Raleigh started in 2011, it has become a fixture in Raleigh’s festival scene, drawing 30,000 attendees in 2017. It’s fun, yes, but there’s an opportunity to support social issues, too: Out! Raleigh’s mission is to promote diversity awareness and inclusiveness for LGBT folks and their allies in the Triangle and beyond.

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80 | midtownmag.com

Vanvisa Nolintha CO-OWNER OF BREWERY BHAVANA AND BIDA MANDA LAOTIAN RESTAURANT

Born in Laos, Vanvisa came to Greensboro when she was 11 years old. Now, 19 years later, she and her brother, Van, are co-owners of two of Raleigh’s most acclaimed restaurants. They opened Bida Manda in 2012 and Brewery Bhavana just last year. Brewery Bhavana is a semifinalist for the 2018 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant, and was named “one of the coolest places to eat in the world” by Forbes. In 2016, Bida Manda was named the best restaurant in North Carolina by Business Insider. Vanvisa credits their business partner, Patrick Woodson, as the one responsible for the delicious beers, and adds: “We wouldn’t be able to do what we do today without our amazing staff and our guests who believe in us, and allow us to do what we love each and every day.”

Top: Carolina Herrera from Vermillion, $1,490 Pants: French Connection from Belk at Crabtree, $98 Jewelry: Kendra Scott bracelet, $80 Stylist: Melissa De Leon

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PANTS: Roxanne skinny jeans with faux leather stripe, UNIQUITIES, 7 for All Mankind brand, $229; TOP: Insect crop shirt, UNIQUITIES, FRAME denim brand, $169; SHOES: Calfskin and suede pumps, JBAT BOUTIQUE, Huma Blanco brand, $288; JEWELRY: Wing earrings, UNIQUITIES, Deepa Gurnani brand, $98; Leather and geode cuff bracelet, COPPER PENNY, Chan Luu brand, $55; MODEL: Winter Holbrook; STYLIST: Claire Roberts 82 | midtownmag.com

Top: Lela Rose from Vermillion, $995 Skirt: Anthropologie, $88 Shoes: Kate Spade from Belk at Crabtree, $250 Jewelry: Kendra Scott earrings, $85 Stylist: Melissa De Leon

Michelle Congleton Smith OWNER OF CONGLETON LAW FOUNDER OF MODELS FOR CHARITY

Michelle grew up in the Triangle and is proud to call this area home. Educated at East Carolina University, where she was a third generation "Pirate," she went on to law school at NCCU. She founded Models for Charity in 2009 as a way of using her love for fashion and the runway to give back to the community. Now with over 50 "model members," the group regularly supports local nonprofit events, hosts events of their own, and plans service projects for the Triangle nonprofits they serve.

midtownmag.com| 83

hers

Daisy Trip jumpsuit from COUSIN COUTURE, $69; Shoes from COUSIN COUTURE, $44; Chain and beaded gold tiered necklace from COUSIN COUTURE $35; Multicolored beaded necklace with tassel from VESTIQUE, $28; Bracelet from SOPHIE & MOLLIES BOUTIQUE, $70

his

Outfit from ALEXANDER ETON; Shirt: Jared Lang Shirt Collection, $149; Blazer: Reda Fabric, $695; Shoes: Jose Real Nobuck Green Wingtip, $450; MODELS: Angel Bailey, Jayson Moore; STYLIST: Brittany Murdock

84 | midtownmag.com

DRESS: Tilly Ruffle dress, UNIQUITIES, Saloni brand, $435; SHOES: Addison pumps, MAIN & TAYLOR, Sam Edelman brand, $120; JEWELRY: Marcasite necklace, MARTA'S, $286; Silver studs, STELLA & DOT, $29; MODEL: Winter Holbrook; STYLIST: Claire Roberts

midtownmag.com| 85

Silk burnout poncho blouse, SCOUT & MOLLY'S, Hale Bob brand, $242 Rose Gold aviator sunglasses, UNIQUITIES, KREWE brand, $295 Nasty Woman cuff bracelet, EDGE OF URGE, $28 Gold hoops with wooden beads, COPPER PENNY, Chan Luu brand, $60 Gold Palm bracelet, SCOUT & MOLLY'S, BANX DESIGNS brand, $24 Gold Palm earrings, SCOUT & MOLLY'S, BANX DESIGNS brand, $18 Gold-plated dyed jade necklace, SCOUT & MOLLY'S, David Aubrey brand, $62 Turquoise and gold pendant necklace, SCOUT & MOLLY'S, BANX DESIGNS brand, $58 STYLIST: Claire Roberts (Left) STYLEFINDER BOUTIQUE: Elizabeth Gillett scarf in a popular blue and magenta geometric pattern, $32; TAT2 Designs silver chain with intermittent stamped gold ovals, drape long or double wrap for a shoulder-length lay, $201 86 | midtownmag.com

HIS PANTS: Jones thin fit wolf grey jeans, RALEIGH DENIM WORKSHOP, $345; JACKET: Houndstooth blazer, KANNON'S CLOTHING, Canali brand, $1,395; SHIRT: Estate Sutter tailored shirt in yellow, KANNON'S CLOTHING, Robert Talbott brand, $245; ACCESSORIES: Robert Jensen brand, silk and cotton pocket square, KANNON'S CLOTHING, $69; Brown suede belt, KANNON'S CLOTHING, w.kleinberg brand, $135; SHOES: Navy suede loafer, KANNON'S CLOTHING, Res Ipsa brand, $275

HERS DRESS: Endless Love maxi dress, COPPER PENNY, Yumi Kim brand, $288; JEWELRY: Smoky Quartz Ascension Stone necklace, EDGE OF URGE, Nucult brand, $88; Beaded necklace, UNIQUITIES, $32; Beaded chandelier earrings, EDGE OF URGE, $182; Beaded bracelets, UNIQUITIES, $22â&#x20AC;&#x201C;$28; BAG: ABLE brand, COPPER PENNY, $160 SHOES: Carrson suede sandals, UNIQUITIES, Steve Madden brand, $49 MODELS: Joe Kolousek, Winter Holbrook; STYLIST: Claire Roberts midtownmag.com| 87

Outfit from SWOON BOUTIQUE Jumpsuit, $59 Tulum straw bag, $45 Sunglasses, $12 Multi-layered gold choker, $18 MODEL: Rachel Sauls STYLIST: Vanessa Boyd

PHOTO BY RACHEL HENNESSEY

88 | midtownmag.com

PANTS: Jones thin flax jeans, RALEIGH DENIM WORKSHOP, $245; SHIRT: Multi-color plaid shirt, LILES CLOTHING STUDIO, Eton brand, $275; ACCESSORIES: Woven belt, LILES CLOTHING STUDIO, Bespoke brand, $195; SHOES: Gotham II Sneakers, LILES CLOTHING STUDIO, Noah Waxman brand, $395; MODEL: Joe Kolousek; STYLIST: Claire Roberts

midtownmag.com| 89

STYLEFINDER BOUTIQUE: Elizabeth Gillett Scarf, in a popular blue and magenta geometric pattern $32; TAT 2 D Intermittent Stamped Gold Ovals, drape long or double wrap for a shoulder-length lay. $201

SHOES: Calfskin and suede pumps, JBAT BOUTIQUE, Huma Blanco, $288 SHOES: Bonnie sandals in sand, MAIN & TAYLOR, Pelle Moda brand, $170 BAG: Vash calfskin clutch, MAIN & TAYLOR, $155; STYLIST: Claire Roberts ASSORTED TIES: SOUTHERN TIDE, $75 each; available in Summer Skipjack in pink, Summer Skipjack in peach, Dapper Dots in green, Society Stripe in peach with blue

Pink Python clutch, MARTA'S, Beirn brand, $568 Sequin sneakers, MAIN & TAYLOR, P448 brand, $275 Legging Ankle jeans in white, SCOUT & MOLLY'S, AG brand, $198 STYLIST: Claire Roberts

90 | midtownmag.com

Silver Chain with

Top: BOSS Hugo Boss blouse from Nordstrom, $275 Pants: Trina Turk from Belk at Crabtree, $298 Coat: Eileen Fisher anorak from Belk at Crabtree, $278 Shoes: Sam Edelman Flats from Belk at Crabtree, $100 Jewelry: Kendra Scott necklace, $140 Stylist: Melissa De Leon

Karen Mishra CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER OF Faro10 N.C. STATE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR

Karen serves as the chief marketing officer for Faro10, a Triangle-based digital healthcare startup that is bringing innovation to mental healthcare. She also teaches marketing in the MBA program at N.C. State, and Karen sits on the board of Prestonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s League, a Durham-based nonprofit that provides support to families whose children are in the Duke Pediatric Bone Marrow Department.

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Kayla Brewer OWNER, VODA BOUTIQUE

The small, rural town of Star where Kayla grew up is hardly a fashion mecca, but her passions prevailed. She studied fashion and textile brand marketing at N.C. State, and, after graduating, moved to Charlotte to work on a product development team at Belk. The corporate life wasn't for her so she took a manager’s position at Boem Boutique, a women's clothing store in Charlotte. Two years later, Kayla returned to Raleigh to open her own boutique. When she’s not at Voda, you’ll find her with her fiancée and with Hank, the French bulldog who’s known to make his own fashion statement at Voda.

92 | midtownmag.com

Dress: Rebecca Taylor from dress., $116 Shoes: Marc Fisher from Belk at Crabtree, $89 Jewelry: David Aubrey earrings from Lou & Grey, $75 Stylist: Melissa De Leon

Dress from SHOP SWAGGER, $42 Shoes from COUSIN COUTURE, $39 Earrings from SHOP SWAGGER, $30 MODEL: Angel Bailey STYLIST: Brittany Murdock

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White T-shirt from SHOP SWAGGER, $30 Jeans from SCOUT & MOLLY’S, $132 Jacket from SOPHIE & MOLLIES BOUTIQUE, $115 Shoes from VESTIQUE, $40 Earrings from PINK MAGNOLIA BOUTIQUE, $24 Clutch from SCOUT & MOLLY’S, $52 MODEL: Angel Bailey STYLIST: Brittany Murdock

94 | midtownmag.com

HIS HERS

PANTS: Jones thin fit wolf grey jeans, RALEIGH DENIM WORKSHOP, $345; SHIRT: Cotton/poliammi seersucker shirt, KANNON'S CLOTHING, private label (made in Italy) $165; JACKET: Houndstooth blazer, KANNON'S CLOTHING, Canali brand, $1,395; ACCESSORIES: Brown suede belt, KANNON'S CLOTHING, Kleinberg brand, $135; SHOES: Gotham II sneakers, LILES CLOTHING STUDIO, Noah Waxman brand, $395

OUTFIT: Red strapless bow jumpsuit, BEVELLO, Oxford Sunday brand, $84; ACCESSORIES: "What the Heart Wants" scarf, MARTA'S, Suzi Roher brand, $328; Flamingo beaded clutch, MAIN & TAYLOR, Clutch Me by Q brand, $160; JEWELRY: Super Star necklace in gold, UNIQUITIES, Gorjana brand, $60; American Flag necklace, COPPER PENNY, $85; Gold flat hoop earrings, UNIQUITIES, Sheila Fajl brand, $85; SHOES: Bonnie sandals in sand, MAIN & TAYLOR, Pelle Moda brand, $170 MODELS: Joe Kolousek, Winter Holbrook; STYLIST: Claire Roberts

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Outfit from ALEXANDER ETON Shirt: Maceoo Luxor with spread collar, $138 Jacket: Mattarazi Uomo, $425 Shoes: Jose Real Rustik Whiskey Loafer, $385 MODEL: Jayson Moore STYLIST: Brittany Murdock

96 | midtownmag.com

Blouse from AUTUMN & AVERY, $52 Jean jacket from PINK MAGNOLIA BOUTIQUE, $46 Jeans from VESTIQUE, $52 Shoes from COUSIN COUTURE, $44 Clutch from VESTIQUE, $88 MODEL: Angel Bailey STYLIST: Brittany Murdock

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special

thanks PHOTOGRAPHY Joe Reale > jareale.com

LOCATIONS

STYLISTS CLAIRE ROBERTS

Level7 > level7roofbar.com

Based in Raleigh, Claire Roberts has made her mark as a fashion expert qualified to teach the many facets of style and image for women and men. Claire has trained with the biggest names in the field of image consulting, including Carla Mathis of Body Beautiful, Brenda Kinsel, and Bev Dwane. Claire has been gifted with a naturally keen eye for the lines, colors, and shapes of ladies’ and men's finery, and she knows how to pair fashion with a person's individual look and preferences to achieve each individual’s best personal expression through their wardrobe. Photo by Amaris Hames Photography.

AC Hotel Raleigh North Hills > marriott.com/hotels/travel/rduar-ac-hotelraleigh-north-hills/ The Mayton Inn > MaytonInn.com

MAKEUP ARTISTS

CLAIREROBERTSSTYLE.COM

Synergy Spa & Aesthetics > FeelSynergy.com Douglas Carroll Salon, Spa and Boutique > DouglasCarrollSalon.com

MELISSA DE LEON

+ Avanti Model and Talent Management Von Kekel Aveda Lifestyle Salon Spa > VonVekelSalonSpa.com

Melissa de Leon is a personal and fashion stylist based in Raleigh. She graduated from Meredith College with a degree in fashion design and a deep-rooted interest in fashion psychology. She opened Melissa de Leon Styling in 2016 with a mission to encourage women to pursue their own style. She assists women and men, families, and business professionals to elevate their wardrobes. Photo by Blue Barn Photography.

HAIR STYLING Plum Hair Atelier > PlumHairAtelier.com

MELISSADELEONSTYLING.COM

Mark Christopher Salon > SalonMarkChristopher.com Von Kekel Aveda Lifestyle Salon Spa > VonKekelSalonSpa.com

MODELS AND AGENCIES Winter Holbrook, Joe Kolousek Angel Bailey, Jayson Moore > Models For Charity MFCraleigh.com

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featured retailers Alexander Eton  Anthropologie Autumn & Avery Belk at Crabtree Bevello Copper Penny Cousin Couture dress.

Edge of Urge Jbat Boutique Kannon's Clothing Kendra Scott Liles Clothing Studio Lou & Grey Main & Taylor Marta's

Nordstrom Pink Magnolia Boutique Raleigh Denim Workshop Scout & Molly's  Shop Swagger  Sophie & Mollies Boutique Southern Tide Stella & Dot

StyleFinder Boutique Swoon Boutique Uniquities Vermillion Vestique

BAPTISIA PHOTO COURTESY OF ATLANTIC GARDENING COMPANY

SPRING IS THE PERFECT SEASON FOR PRUNING, PLANNING,

Green THUMBS FOR ALL 100 | midtownmag.com

AND

PLANTING.

BY CHERYL CAPALDO TRAYLOR

As warmer weather arrives in the Triangle, along with it comes eager gardeners ready to dig their hands, spades, and shovels into the soil. Knowing what to do and when to do it can be overwhelming, but landscape professionals from three local garden centers offer tips for a successful spring gardening experience.

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FIRST THINGS FIRST: Bed Prep and Pruning in Early March. If you are preparing new beds, incorporate organic soil conditioners and enhancers before planting. Clay soils, common in this area, have different requirements than sandy soils. It is a good idea to have your soil tested, so you will know the proper amendments to add. Testing is available year-round through the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Clean up existing garden beds by raking out the last of the autumn leaves. Winter-damaged ornamental grasses, such as maiden and fountain, can be cut back nearly to the ground in early March, before new growth emerges. Steve Brown, nursery department manager at Homewood Nursery & Garden Center in Raleigh, recommends pruning the woody stems of hardy lantanas and hibiscus to the ground now. New growth will appear from the base in April. When pruning, timing is critical for different species. Many roses, including overgrown Knock Out roses, can be pruned in early March, but climbing roses are pruned after blooming. Evergreen hedges can be pruned minimally to keep them in shape. Most heavy pruning of shrubs is done in late winter before new growth starts. John Higdon, owner of City Garden Design in Cary, says a common mistake is pruning shrubs at the wrong time and losing the flowers. “Wait until after spring-flowering shrubs bloom, then prune,” he cautions. Dead or damaged wood can be removed at any time. Crepe myrtles can be pruned in early March, but should never be topped off to control height. “Please don’t murder your crepe myrtles,” says Mike Riha, director of design at Atlantic Gardening Company in Raleigh. midtownmag.com | 101

CITY GARDEN DESIGN IN CARY; PHOTO BY F8 PHOTO STUDIOS

DIGGING IN: What to Plant in March and April. The spring planting season begins in March with hardy perennials such as purple coneflower, heuchera, salvia, verbena, black-eyed Susan, and phlox. Shrubs can still be planted, but the earlier in the season the better, so that the roots become well established before summer. Wait until after the average last-frost date before planting annuals and tender perennials like petunias, coleus, and begonias. In the Triangle area that is typically mid-April. Bulbs and tubers such as elephant ears, alliums, lilies, caladiums, cannas, and dahlias can be planted after the soil temperature has warmed and all

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threat of frost has passed. Brown says ensuring healthy root growth is important when planting in the spring. He suggests using a liquid root stimulator or an organic starter fertilizer, like Bio-tone, to help newly planted roots get well established. Without good roots, the plants will struggle all summer. The first consideration when choosing plants is picking the right plant for the right place. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t buy a shade plant for a sunny spot, or plant a tree where a shrub would be a better fit. Check each plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s requirements and make sure they match your landscape conditions.

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Although it’s tempting to buy 10 different plants, that won’t create the biggest visual impact. “Pick three or four plants and buy five of each one. It will cover a larger area, look more cohesive, and put on a greater show,” Riha recommends. Leslie Froh, landscape designer and Riha’s coworker at Atlantic Gardening Company, suggests that March is a good time to dig up and divide perennials. She says, “You’re basically getting two or more plants for the price of one.” Riha adds, “It’s also important to do this because it improves the health of the

plant.” Shasta daisies, bee balm, and hostas are a few that can be divided now. Higdon says clients always want more color in their gardens. He recommends incorporating tropicals into beds, and he especially likes bougainvillea for its vibrant color and longlasting blooms. He notices a growing trend of mixed-use gardens where ornamentals are planted alongside edibles, such as blueberry and raspberry bushes. “That way you are getting more than just a shrub, you are actually providing food for yourself or the birds,” he says.

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Shrinking lawns are also becoming more popular. “People want to start using their land for more than just grass. They’re getting more bed space, using less fertilizer, and creating less runoff. That’s a good thing for the environment,” he adds. When planting in the spring, also remember to plan ahead for interest in later seasons by including plants that provide fall leaf color, winter bark, and interesting seeds and berries. After beds are planted, a layer of mulch offers a finished look, holds in moisture, controls

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soil temperature, and discourages weed growth. Pine straw, pine bark, and hardwood are popular mulch choices. All of the landscape professionals agreed on one thing: Don’t be tempted to think that more is better when it comes to mulching. They caution homeowners to leave space between each plant—whether it’s a tree or perennial—and the mulch. Neglecting to do so results in limited airflow, water restriction or retention, and inhibited growth.

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TREES AND SHRUBS DEPARTMENT IN SPRING AT ATLANTIC GARDENING COMPANY

CONTAIN YOURSELF: Keep it Simple with Window Boxes and Container Gardens. An easy, affordable way to add color to your landscape is to include containers and window boxes. Let your personal preferences guide your choice of color scheme and plant material. As for design, Froh offers a simple, yet reliable, recipe: “Thrillers, fillers, and spillers. The thriller is the tallest plant and usually placed in the middle. The filler is mid-height and fills the pot. The spiller is usually a vine that spreads and spills over the pot. That’s it!” Don’t forget herbs when you are planting your containers. Many, such as rosemary and thyme, provide wonderful fragrance, and can also be used in cooking. Higdon suggests 108 | midtownmag.com

planting small citrus trees in containers, noting that he had more than 70 lemons on one tree last year. Brown, Froh, Higdon, and Riha all agree that an important part of having a successful garden is visiting local garden centers, getting to know the staff, and asking lots of questions. Brown emphasizes, “We want you to succeed. We want these plants to thrive in your garden. If something isn’t going right, call us. We’re here for you.” One last piece of advice: Buy a comfortable garden bench so you can relax this summer and enjoy all of the work you’ve done during the spring season.

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AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION BY CHERYL CAPALDO TRAYLOR For bodies that have spent the winter indoors, gardening can pose physical challenges and—in some cases—create injuries. Most of the injuries Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein sees each spring are to the upper extremities—elbows, wrists, and shoulders. Wittstein is an orthopaedic surgeon at Duke Raleigh Hospital, who specializes in sports medicine. “As the weather gets nice, people go outside to garden and there’s often a lot of lifting, digging, weeding, and using tools repetitively,” she explains. “That is the perfect setup for an overuse injury like tendonitis.” Many people develop injuries—like tennis elbow, back strain, and shoulder pain— because they are going from fairly sedentary indoor activities to intense outdoor activities. Wittstein says the best way to avoid an injury is to build up your strength in preparation for spring gardening activities. “Proactively strengthen your arms and your core, so that you are ready to participate without putting yourself at risk of injury,” she says. She recommends doing some 110 | midtownmag.com

light stretching and strengthening of the muscle groups you will be using. A simple exercise that helps avoid tennis elbow is holding the elbow straight and slowly bending the wrist first up, then down. Repeat several times on each arm. She also suggests using TheraBands or pulley-type exercises at the gym to strengthen shoulder muscles. To avoid back strain when lifting heavy items, like potting soil, remember to lift with your knees, not with your back. Wittstein advises, “Squat down and pick something up with your back upright, instead of bending over and awkwardly trying to extend your back.” If you do experience aches and pains, it’s important to address symptoms as early as possible with home-treatment options like stretching, strengthening, resting, and using ice and an over-thecounter anti-inflammatory. “Most of the time overuse injuries should get better with rest,” Wittstein says. If symptoms persist for more than a couple of weeks, she suggests coming in to be evaluated by an orthopaedist.

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LIVING in NATUREâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEITH ISAACS

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3,214 SQUARE FEET FOUR BEDROOMS, FOUR AND A HALF BATHS BUILT IN 2016 LOCATION: NORTH RALEIGH, NEAR CREEDMOOR ROAD AND 540 ARCHITECT: IN SITU STUDIO BUILDER: AIELLO BUILDERS

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IN THE CITY OF OAKS, where premium lots have become scarce and neighborhoods come with strict guidelines, a home that’s built with an eye to the view from the inside out—rather than traditional curb appeal— can pose challenges. That was certainly the case in this North Raleigh neighborhood, where architecture veers to stately traditional façades and homes are priced well over $500,000. Architect Matthew Griffith, AIA, of in situ studio, worked with the owners (who prefer to remain anonymous) to design a home that would nest into this beautifully wooded lot and provide expansive views from every room into the forest and nature surrounding them. The rectangular-shaped house stretches east/west and is “completely transparent,” Griffith says, thanks to full-height windows that span floor-to-ceiling on the north and south sides. The north side fronts the forest; the south side opens into the courtyard. “You can stand in the courtyard and see through the house into the woods,” he says. In addition to the negotiations required to bring such a contemporary design into a traditional neighborhood, the site itself was a challenge given that the house is far below the street, a drainage easement runs along the front of the property, and there was a flood plain to work around. Griffith says the project, start to finish, took around two years because six to eight months were consumed by the permitting process.

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DURING THE DAY, NATURAL LIGHT ILLUMINATES THE LIVING AREAS AND NARY A LIGHT NEED BE TURNED ON. THE DOWNSTAIRS IS DESIGNED WITH A SINGLE COMMON SPACE FOR KITCHEN, DINING, AND LIVING AREAS, PLUS A SECOND MASTER SUITE TO WELCOME RELATIVES ON EXTENDED VISITS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.

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The floor-to-ceiling Jeld-Wen Premium Vinyl Windows, 10 feet by 6 feet, are the largest size available in the U.S., says Griffith, adding “any bigger and we’d have to get them from Germany.” JeldWen Premium Vinyl Windows are known for their durability, energy efficiency, and low maintenance. Energy efficiency is also enhanced thanks to the roof overhang above the upstairs windows as well as the wider overhang above the lower windows on the south side. Many windows on the south side can be opened to catch the prevailing southwest winds and provide natural cooling and ventilation. Spray foam insulation was used throughout the home to increase insulation.

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Simple, clean design and natural elements define every detail, including the hardwood flooring, a beautiful white oak with a clear water-based sealer. The entry is subtle and private, with a frostedglass front door. “The whole design,” Griffith notes, “is intended to set up that ‘wow’ moment when you walk inside the home” and are instantly greeted by vistas into the surrounding nature.

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The upstairs includes the master suite, children’s bedrooms and baths, and a family room. “So many homes are much larger than they need to be, and the size and scale of this house are perfect for a family,” Griffith says.

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Home is like family. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal. And the decisions we make surrounding our home are intimate choices made from the heart: To build our dream home, to reinvent the spaces where we spend our most memorable moments, to invest in a property that will become the physical cornerstone of our relationships. Those are turning points that shape our lives. And when it comes time to sell or rent a home, even the best business deals come with mixed emotions. For all of these times, you need home professionals who will listen, advise, and work with your best interests at heart.

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HOME GARDEN

Allure Homes Specializing in Home Building, Renovations, Additions, and Historic Home Preservation.

Dreams Made Real: The greatest appeal of a custom home or renovation is the opportunity to design a living space where homeowners can see their imagination take shape. Here, Allure designers and craftsmen created a family room around an Isokern fireplace from Earthcore, which offers the flexibility of functioning as both a wood-burning and a gas log unit. Topped with an elegant mantel and flanked by French doors, the fireplace creates a focal point for the room andâ&#x20AC;¨a warm ambiance thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s matched only by the deep panels and heavy crown molding in the coffered ceiling. Custom built-in shelving and cabinetry provide display and storage to make this the ideal family gathering space.

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combined experience to every client project, and their attention to every detail has secured the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reputation as one of the premier builders in the Raleigh area. With any custom home or renovation, it is important to have a clear understanding of the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision for their home. Whether planning an

inviting entry, a formal living space, or an outdoor setting, effectively taking an idea from concept to completion requires a team effort. This collaborative team approach enables Allure to efficiently and effectively manage a project and make your visions and dreams for your new home or renovated space become a reality.

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HOME GARDEN

Arthur Rutenberg Homes A Legacy of Excellence in Custom Homes.

A home that reflects the needs and wants of each client never goes out of style. For 65 years, Arthur Rutenberg Homes has been crafting exemplary custom homes— serving as the architect, interior designer, and builder of homes that precisely match each client’s lifestyle and preferences. Monterey Bay Raleigh, the proud Arthur Rutenberg Homes franchise in the

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Triangle area, offers seasoned leadership and a team of construction and project managers, designers, sales consultants, and support staff. Our combined expertise brings over a century of custom home building experience. We take the time to listen and learn about each client’s dream home, and we incorporate the specific interior and exterior features, along with

the desired amenities, so each property is personalized to the homeowners. We’d love to add your dream home to the legacy of custom homes we’re building in this market. Bring your ideas for a new home to our furnished model in Wake Forest or visit our new Design Studio in Raleigh, near Glenwood Avenue and Westgate Drive.

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Our clients often desire a complete integration of outdoor and indoor settings. Expansive covered porches and outdoor amenities—like pools, spas, and decorative water or fire features— embrace the advantages of the property and our temperate seasons. For each custom home, we’ll create an outdoor living design to match your lifestyle and budget.

Our kitchen designs are open and inviting, with warm touches, clean lines, and standard amenities like a hidden, expansive pantry. We’ll craft your kitchen with appliances, countertops, sink and faucet styles, lighting, and cabinets that reflect your dreams—so your kitchen truly becomes the “heart of your home.”

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Coming This Spring: The Bradford, a new furnished model in North Raleigh, on an outstanding Northridge Country Club fairway lot.

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HOME GARDEN

Furnish

Bringing Artistry Back into Home Interiors.

Raleigh has waited too long for a furniture and design experience like the one at Furnish. Stylish and modern, and as intimately personalized as it is unique, the design collection at Furnish assures clients that they’ve found someplace special. A place where quality and artistry define each and every piece. Furnish prides itself on the many attributes that set it apart: Custom-upholstered furniture that is made in America. Custom bedroom, dining, office, and entertainment

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pieces built by the hands of Amish artisans. But that’s not all. Furnish also has an extensive collection of rugs, including exclusive distribution of Joanna Gaines by Magnolia Homes rugs. There’s also a wide assortment of lighting and art to complete each room, and—new for spring 2018—custom outdoor furniture. In addition to an unparalleld selection of products, the Furnish process is something else that sets it apart. “We love collaborative clients who want to get down

and dirty with our designers and create something that speaks specifically to their style,” owner Michelle Hardy says. “Often, our clients aren’t sure of their exact aesthetic, but they find their style when working with our talented designers.” Michelle, along with the senior designers of Furnish, Dory Barnes and Megan Garrett, selected and designed the company’s expansive 15,000-square-foot showroom. The space is divided into 60 vignettes, each showcasing a mix of

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f u r n i s h upholstery, bedroom, dining, office, and entertainment pieces complemented with coordinating rugs, occasional pieces, art, lighting, and accessories. The result is an immersive space where clients can easily visualize and “feel” how the design options come to life. “Our designers are professionals who’ve earned degrees in interior design. When customers first come to Furnish, we discuss their vision, style, and budget, and then— either in the store or in their home—we measure, sketch, and design,” Michelle says. “But our services don’t end there. After we present the comprehensive design and the client makes their decisions, we deliver and set up the furniture in their home.” Floor to ceiling to finish, Furnish creates the perfect setting that speaks to the preferences and lifestyle of its discerning clientele. Visit the Furnish showroom today and see the new line of outdoor furniture, sure to make your spring and summer entertaining the talk of your neighborhood.

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HOME GARDEN

A Cole Realty

Passionate, Experienced, and Ready to Work! When Angie Cole started A Cole Realty, she wanted a company that stood out from the rest. Two fundamental questions became the cornerstone of her services: How could she successfully market a client’s home using methods that would reach out to prospective buyers? How would she ensure that the process of buying or selling a home be a positive experience for her clients? First and foremost, the team at A Cole Realty wants to make sure that when a property is listed, it will be seen. As a result, there are numerous methods that are utilized to make sure this happens. Properties are marketed through professional staging and photography, Triangle MLS, YouTube virtual tours, flyers, open house events, social media targeted ads, text riders, and radio. Not only do the A Cole Realty homes sell in record time, but these methods also provide a great means of networking with other agents. On the house-hunting side, the company completes an extensive needs analysis for each and every buyer. By pinpointing a client’s specific needs and wants, the A Cole Realty team is better equipped to locate the home that fits each buyer’s individual criteria. And all of the logistics are handled seamlessly. Buyers and sellers do not have to be concerned with the scheduling of inspections or the communication required between the attorney and lender, because A Cole Realty takes care of every detail. Success is guaranteed by all of the above—and by the personable and helpful staff who are available at any time to address your concerns. A Cole Realty serviced more than 400 families in 2016 and 2017. Throughout the years, the number of repeat clients and referrals from past clients has validated our goal of maintaining “clients for life.”

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Block & Associates Realty Time For New Beginnings.

Demand for home rentals is booming in the Triangle, and we’re here to help homeowners secure the perfect tenants to live in their homes. Property Management The management offered by Block & Associates Realty is full-service, with an emphasis on protecting your property and maximizing your return on investment. Our preferred vendors are insured and experienced—and their bills are not marked up to the owners. Our move-in, moveout, and interim inspections provide assurance that your property is being maintained correctly. Investment Assistance Expert advice is offered by Norman Block, who provides help across all levels through no-cost seminars that are held throughout the year. Norman has been practicing real estate in the Triangle for 40 years. He is also an adjunct professor at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he teaches a course in Real Estate Decisions. Any investor, at any level, is welcome to learn from the best! Leasing Opportunities Our entire leasing team is comprised of licensed realtors who provide personal, hands-on service. We will successfully market and assist you with selecting a qualified tenant. Sharon Schovain, owner and broker-in-charge, has positioned our company as the Triangle’s leader in high-end rentals, and we always need more quality singlefamily homes to rent. More than 2,200 homes are leased each year. Call Block & Associates Realty for professional service with home rentals.

107 Edinburgh South Drive Suite 100 Cary, NC 27511 BlockRealty.com 919.459.6300

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HOME GARDEN

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Lloyd & Lady Boutiques Join us for our “Let Spring Sing” OPEN HOUSE, March 9th–11th. Enjoy nibbles as you shop our collection of new spring arrivals: The Posh Petal, Keith Lloyd Designs, Noble Interiors, Lily Maes, Home Bucket List, and Pig-Mint offer the newest trendsetting items for your home, garden, and so much more—all at Lloyd & Lady Boutiques! Mirrors, lamps, prints, apparel, jewelry, gifts, and custom floral design are just some of the many great choices you will find, along with interior design services, a personalized gift registry, and the best in customer care. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Home Decor . Floral . Apparel . Jewelry . Gifts Lloyd & Lady Boutiques In Six Forks Station Shopping Center 8847 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27614 919.916.5252 | lloydandladync.com Would you like to be a merchant at Lloyd & Lady Boutiques? Contact Kathy Burns at 919.349.3939 for more information.

revival

antiques vintage and modern, artfully arranged for your home At Revival, you will find two stores in one: Our 5,000-square-foot showroom is an open and welcoming space that has been artfully arranged into distinctive settings—sure to inspire your home design. Here you will find furniture, unique decorative accessories, lighting, mirrors, and art. While just down the sidewalk, the “as-is” warehouse offers customers a wider selection of case goods and architectural finds just waiting to be re-imagined. Pieces from the warehouse can be taken as found, or they can be refurbished by our team to your specifications. A fully designed showroom space combined with the separate 5,000-square-foot treasure-filled warehouse are what make Revival the most unique furniture shopping destination in Raleigh.

1505 Capital Boulevard #14-a, Raleigh, NC 27603 919.833.3444 | revival-antiques.com Find us on 134 | midtownmag.com

41Hundred

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M Dining Guide Our directory of where to eat in Raleigh.

AFRICAN Abyssinia Ethopian Restaurant 2109-146 Avent Ferry Rd. 919.664.8151 abyssiniarestaurant.net

AMERICAN 18 Seaboard 18 Seaboard Ave. 919.861.4318 18restaurantgroup.com Ba-Da Wings 2161 Avent Ferry Rd. 919.832.3902 badawings.com Berkeley Cafe 217 W. Martin St. 919.828.9190 facebook.com/berkeley raleigh/ Bloomsbury Bistro 509-101 W. Whitaker Mill Rd. 919.834.9011 bloomsburybistro.com Trophy Tap + Table 225 S. Wilmington St. 919.424.7817 trophybrewing.com Cameron Bar and Grill 2018 Clark Ave. 919.755.2231 cameronbarandgrill.com Capital Club 16 16 West Martin St. 919.747.9345 capitalclub16.com Carroll’s Kitchen 19 E. Martin St. 919.670.3622 carrollskitchen.org Clockwork 519 W. North St. 919.307.3215 clockworkraleigh.com

Crawford and Son 618 N. Person St. 919.307.4647 crawfordandsonrestaurant.com Death & Taxes 105 W. Hargett St. 984.242.0218 ac-restaurants.com/ death-taxes Edwards Mill Bar & Grill 3201 Edwards Mill Rd. 919.783.5447 edwardsmillbarandgrill.com

Midtown Grille 4421 Six Forks Rd. 919.782.9463 themidtowngrille.com

North Ridge North Ridge Pub 6010 Falls of Neuse Rd. 919.790.9125 northridgepub.com Oak City Meatball Shoppe 180 E. Davie St. 919.714.9014 oakcitymeatball.com

Glenwood Grill 2603 Glenwood Ave. #151 919.782.3102 glenwoodgrill.com Hayes Barton Cafe 2000 Fairview Rd. 919.856.8551 imaginarystudioonline.com/ hayes Iris Restaurant 2110 Blue Ridge Rd. 919.664.6838 ncartmuseum.org/visit/dining

Kings 141 Park at North Hills St. 919.600.5700 kingsbowlamerica.com Lynnwood Grill & Brewing Concern 4821 Grove Barton Rd. 919.785.0043 lynnwoodgrill.com

Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern 330 Hillsborough St. 919.829.3663 second-empire.com Stanbury 938 N. Blount St. 919.977.4321 stanburyrestaurant.com Standard Foods 205 E. Franklin St. 919.307.4652 standard-foods.com Taste 3048 Medlin Dr. 919.322.0568 1912 Bernard St. 919.948.7815 jmrkitchens.com/taste the Oak 4035 Lake Boone Tr. 919.787.9100 jmrkitchens.com/oak

The Players’ Retreat 105 Oberlin Rd. 919.755.9589 playersretreat.net

bu•ku 110 E. Davie St. 919.834.6963 bukuraleigh.com

The Raleigh Times Bar 14 E. Hargett St. 919.833.0999 raleightimesbar.com

Chai’s Asian Bistro 8347 Creedmoor Rd. 919.341.3715 chaisasianbistro.com

The Rockford 320 ½ Glenwood Ave. 919.821.9020 therockfordrestaurant.com

Champa Thai & Sushi 8521 Brier Creek Pkwy. 919.806.0078 champathaisushi.com

The Station 701 N. Person St. 919.977.1567 stationraleigh.com

The Twisted Fork 3751 Sumner Blvd. 919.792.2535 thetwistedfork.com Village Grill 8470 Honeycut Rd. 919.890.5340 villagegrillraleigh.com Winston’s Grille 6401 Falls of Neuse Rd. 919.790.0700 winstonsgrille.com Zest Cafe & Home Art 8831 Six Forks Rd. 919.848.4792 zestcafehomeart.com

ASIAN Bida Manda 222 S. Blount St. 919.829.9999 bidamanda.com Brewery Bhavana 218 S. Blount St. 919.829.9998 brewerybhavana.com

Chopstix 5607 Creedmoor Rd. 919.781.6268 chopstix.com CO Inside AC Hotel Raleigh North Hills Coming early 2018 eatatco.com David’s Dumpling & Noodle Bar 1900 Hillsborough St. 919.239.4536 ddandnb.com Five Star Restaurant 511 W. Hargett St. 919.833.3311 fivestarraleigh.com Hako Sushi 2603-155 Glenwood Ave. 919.235.0589 hakosushinc.com Imperial Garden 7713 Lead Mine Rd. 919.846.1988 imperialgardenrestaurant.com Kimbap Cafe 111 Seaboard Station #118 919.900.8053 kimbapcafe.com

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Lemongrass Thai Restaurant 8320 Litchford Rd. #142 919.954.0377 lemongrassthairestaurant.net

Sono 319 Fayetteville St. 919.521.5328 sonoraleigh.com

Mura 4121 Main at North Hills 919.781.7887 muranorthhills.com

Sushi Blues Cafe 301 Glenwood Ave. 919.664.8061 sushibluescafe.com

Neo-Asia 6602 Glenwood Ave. 919.783.8383 neo-china.com

Spring Rolls Restaurant 4361 Lassiter at North Hills 919.783.8180

Ni Asian Kitchen 8817 Six Forks Rd. 919.916.5106 niasiankitchen.com Orchid Japanese Restaurant 7432 Creedmoor Rd. 919.890.5345 orchidjapanesebuffet.com Pho Pho Pho 510 Glenwood Ave. #103 phophophonc.com Pho Far East 4011 Capital Blvd. #133 919.876.8621

5433 Wade Park Blvd. 919.803.1118 springrollsrestaurant.com Sushi O Bistro + Sushi Bar 222 Glenwood Ave. 919.838.8868 sushioraleighnc.com Thaiphoon Bistro 301 Glenwood Ave. #190 919.720.4034 thaiphoonbistro.com Waraji Japanese Restaurant 5910 Duraleigh Rd. 919.783.1883 warajijapaneserestaurant.com

BAKERY & DESSERTS

Pearl Chinese Restaurant 3215 Avent Ferry Rd. 919.233.8776 pearlchinesenc.com

Anisette Sweet Shop 209 Bickett Blvd. 919.758.3565 sweetanisette.com

Red Dragon Chinese Restaurant 2513 Fairview Rd. 919.782.1102 reddragonraleigh.com

Annelore’s German Bakery 1249 Farmers Market Dr. 919.294.8040 facebook.com/ anneloresgermanbakery

Red Pepper Asian 4121-109 New Bern Ave. 919.594.1006 redpepperasiannc.com Seoul Garden 4701 Atlantic Ave. 919.850.9984 raleighseoulgarden.com ShabaShabu 3080 Wake Forest Rd. 919.501.7755 shabashabu.net

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Bittersweet 16 E. Martin St. 919.977.3829 bittersweetraleigh.com Boulted Bread 614 W. South St. 919.999.3984 boultedbread.com Duck Donuts 8323 Creedmoor Rd. 919.847.3800 duckdonuts.com

BBQ

Edible Art Bakery & Dessert Café 4351-115 The Circle at North Hills 919.856.0604 edibleartnc.com Escazú Artisan Chocolates 936 N. Blount St. 919.832.3433 escazuchocolates.com Goodberry’s Frozen Custard 2421 Spring Forest Rd. 919.878.8159

Big Al’s BBQ 2920 Forestville Rd. 919.217.0653 bigalsbbqandcatering.com Clyde Cooper’s BBQ 327 S. Wilmington St. 919.832.7614 clydecoopersbbq.com

Chow Pizza & Burgers 8311 Creedmoor Rd. 919.841.4995 chowraleigh.com

Ole Time Barbecue 6309 Hillsborough St. 919.859.2544 oletimebarbecue.com

Chuck’s 237 S. Wilmington St. 919.322.0126 ac-restaurants.com/chucks

The Pit Authentic Barbecue 328 W. Davie St. 919.890.4500 thepit-raleigh.com

Cloos’ Coney Island 2233 Avent Ferry Rd. 919.834.3354

9700 Strickland Rd. 919.676.8580 2042 Clark Ave. 919.833.9998 goodberrys.com Groovy Duck Bakery 3434 Edwards Mill Rd. 919.787.9233 groovyduckbakeryllc.com Hayes Barton Cafe 2000 Fairview Rd. 919.856.8551 https://goo.gl/2aXSqM lucettegrace 235 S. Salisbury St. 919.307.4950 lucettegrace.com Premier Cakes 6617 Falls of Neuse Rd. #105 919.703.0095 premier-cakes.com Sugarland 2031 Cameron St. 919.835.2100 facebook.com/ sugarlandraleigh Yellow Dog Bread Company 219 E. Franklin St. 984.232.0291 facebook.com/ yellowdogbread Videri Chocolate Factory 327 W. Davie St. 919.755.5053 viderichocolatefactory.com

BURGER & HOT DOG

The Q Shack 4120 Main at North Hills 919.786.4381 theqshack.com

BREAKFAST SPECIALTY Another Broken Egg Cafe 160 Park at North Hills St. 919.307.8195 anotherbrokenegg.com Brigs Restaurant 8111 Creedmoor Rd. 919.870.0994 brigs.com Jubala Coffee 8450 Honeycutt Rd. 919.758.8330 jubalacoffee.com The Morning Times 10 E Hargett St. 919.836.1204 morningtimes-raleigh.com New World Cafe 4112 Pleasant Valley Rd. 919.786.0091 newworldcoffeehouse.com

Jerry’s Grill 813 E. Whitaker Mill Rd. 919.832.7561 MoJoe’s Burger Joint 620 Glenwood Ave. 919.832.6799 mojoesburgerjoint.com Pharaoh’s Grill at North Hills 4421 Six Forks Rd. 919.420.0840 Snoopy’s Hot Dogs 600 Hillsborough St. 919.839.2176 snoopys.com

CAFÉ Benelux Coffee 402 Oberlin Rd. 919.900.8294 beneluxcoffee.com Despina’s Café 8369 Creedmoor Rd. 919.848.5007 despinascafe.com Manhattan Cafe 320 S. Wilmington St. 919.833.6105 manhattancafenc.com Sola Coffee 7705 Lead Mine Rd. 919.803.8983 solacoffee.com

CARIBBEAN

DELI/SANDWHICHES

ECLECTIC

Caribbean Café 2645 E. Millbrook Rd. 919.872.4858 caribbeancafenc.com

The Community Deli 901 Oberlin Rd. 919.896.6810 thecommunitydeli.com

41Hundred 4100 Main at North Hills St. 919.278.1478 41hundredrestaurant.com

Groucho’s Deli 10 Horne St. 919.977.7747 grouchos.com

ORO Restaurant & Lounge 18 E. Martin St. 919.239.4010 ororaleigh.com

Linus & Pepper’s 126 S. Salisbury St. 919.833.3866

Plates Neighborhood Kitchen 301 Glenwood Ave. 919.828.0018 plateskitchen.com

Jamaican Grille 5500 Atlantic Springs Rd. 919.873.0200 The Daily Planet Cafe 121 W. Jones St. 919.707.8060 thedailyplanetcafe.com Devolve Moto 304 Glenwood Ave. 919.803.3257 devolvemoto.com The Pharmacy Cafe 702 N. Person St. 919.832.6432 personstreetrx.com Sunflowers Cafe 8 W. Peace St. 919.833.4676 sunflowersraleigh.com

Donovan’s Dish 800 W. Williams St. #112 Apex | 919.651.8309 10251 Little Brier Creek Ln. #107 | Raleigh donovansdish.com

Lee’s Kitchen 4638 Capital Blvd. 919.872.7422 leeskitchenjamaican.com Mum’s Jamaican Restaurant 3901 Capital Blvd. 919.615.2332 mumsjamaicanfood.com Tropical Picken Chicken 404 E. Six Forks Rd. 919.703.0661

CATERING Catering Works 2319 Laurelbrook St. 919.828.5932 cateringworks.com

Lunch Box Deli 2816 Trawick Rd. 919.872.7882

Rocky Top Catering 1705 E. Millbrook Rd. 919.850.2340 rockytopcatering.com

Poppyseed Market 8801 Lead Mine Rd. 919.870.4997 poppyseedmkt.com Village Deli & Grill 500 Daniels St. 919.828.1428 villagedeli.net

The Glenwood 3300 Woman’s Club Dr. 919.610.0872 theglenwoodvenue.com

2018

Sosta Cafe 130 E. Davie St. 919.833.1006 sostacafe.com

FRENCH Crepe Traditions 141 Park at North Hills St. 919.977.3425 crepetraditions.com

Coquette Brasserie 4531 The Circle at North Hills 919.789.0606 coquetteraleigh.com

DIAMOND

AWARD BEST PIZZA

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Royale 200 E. Martin St. 919.977.3043 Saint Jacques 6112 Falls of Neuse Rd. 919.862.2770 saintjacquesfrench cuisine.com Simply Crêpes 8470 Honeycutt Rd. 919.322.2327 simplycrepes.com

GERMAN J. Betski’s 10 W. Franklin St. 919.833.7999 jbetskis.com

INDIAN Azitra 8411 Brier Creek Pkwy. 919.484.3939 azitra.com Garland 14 W. Martin St. 919.833.6886 garlandraleigh.com Godavari 9650 Strickland Rd. 919.847.1984 godavarius.com Indio Restaurant & Lounge 222 Glenwood Ave. 919.322.2760 indioraleigh.com Kabab and Curry 2418 Hillsborough St. 919.977.6974 kababcurryraleigh.com Kadhai the Indian Wok 6260-112 Glenwood Ave. 919.785.2864 theindianexpresskadhai.com Royal India 3901 Capital Blvd. 919.981.0849 royalindiannc.com Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine 6611 Falls of Neuse Rd. 919.848.2262 tajmahalindianraleigh.com

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The Wild Cook’s Indian Grill 3212 Hillsborough St. 984.232.8530 wildcooksgrill.com Zayka Indian Cuisine 10410 Moncreiffe Rd. Ste 103 919.361.5370 zaykaraleigh.com

IRISH

Casa Carbone Ristorante Italiano 6019 Glenwood Ave. 919.781.8750 casacarbone.com Farina Neighborhood Italian 8450 Honeycutt Rd. 919.890.0143 farinaraleigh.com

Vivace 4209 Lassiter Mill Rd. 919.787.7747 vivaceraleigh.com

MEDITERRANEAN / MIDDLE EASTERN

Saints & Scholars Irish Pub 909 Spring Forest Rd. 919.878.8828 saintsandscholarspub.com

Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar 309 N. Dawson St. 919.838.8595 mulinoraleigh.com

Aladdin’s Eatery 8201 Brier Creek Pkwy. 919.806.5700 aladdinseatery.com

The Hibernian 311 Glenwood Ave. 919.833.2258

Piccola Italia 423 Woodburn Rd. 919.833.6888 piccolaitalianc.com

Fresh Levant Bistro 8450 Honeycutt Rd. 984.200.3999 freshlevant.com

Gravy 135 S. Wilmington St. 919.896.8513 gravyraleigh.com

Jasmin Mediterranean Bistro 424 E. Six Forks Rd. 919.743.3336 jasminbistro.com

8021 Falls Of Neuse Rd. 919.803.0290 hibernianpub.com

ITALIAN Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant 3905 Western Blvd. 919.851.0473 amedeosrestaurant.com Assaggio Italian Restuarant 3501 W. Millbrook Rd. 919.785.2088 assaggios-nc.com Bella Monica 3121 Edwards Mill Rd. 919.881.9778 bellamonica.com Bruno Seafood & Steaks 11211 Galleria Ave. 919.435.6640 brunoraleigh.com

Cafe Tiramisu Cafe Tiramisu 6008 Falls of Neuse Rd. 919.790.1006 cafetiramisu.net Caffé Luna 136 E. Hargett St. 919.832.6090 cafeluna.com Capri Restaurant 6325 Falls of Neuse Rd. 919.878.4424 caprirest.com

Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar 420 Fayetteville St. 919.256.1451 jimmyvsraleigh.com Nina’s Ristorante 8801 Lead Mine Rd. 919.845.1122 ninasrestaurant.com Pulcinella’s Italian Restaurant 4711 Hope Valley Rd. 919.490.1172 pulcinellasitalianrestaurant.com Roma Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant 3805 Brentwood Rd. 919.876.2818

Mona Pita Mediterranean Grill 5260 Capital Blvd. 919.431.6500 monapita.com Neomonde 3817 Beryl Rd. 919.828.1628 neomonde.com Nur Mediterranean Deli & Market 2233 Avent Ferry Rd. 919.828.1523 nurdeli.com

Taza Grill 6325 Falls of Neuse Rd. 919.872.7161 tazagrill.com Vidrio 500 Glenwood Ave. #100 919.803.6033 vidrioraleigh.com

PIZZERIA Cristo’s NY Style Pizza 1302 E. Milbrook Rd. 919.872.6797 cristospizza.com DeMo’s Pizzeria & Deli 222 Glenwood Ave. 919.754.1050 demospizzeriadeli.com Donatos 111 Seaboard Ave. 919.828.5111 donatos.com Frank’s Pizza 2030 New Bern Ave. 919.231.8990 frankspizzainraleigh.com Gino’s Pizza 6260 Glenwood Ave. 919.783.7555 ginospizzaraleigh.com

Petra Grill 6091 Capital Blvd. 919.599.4959

Tuscan Blu 327 W. Davie St. 919.834.5707 tuscanblu.com

Sassool 9650 Strickland Rd. 919.847.2700 sassool.com

Vic’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria 331 Blake St. 919.829.7090

Sitti 137 S. Wilmington St. 919.239.4070 sitti-raleigh.com

4035 Lake Boone Tr. 984.200.9292 vicsitalianrestaurant.com

Taverna Agora 326 Hillsborough St. 919.881.8333 tavernaagora.com

Tarbouch 5645 Creedmoor Rd. 919.239.4408 tarbouch-nc.com

Lilly’s Pizza 1813 Glenwood Ave. 919.833.0226 lillyspizza.com Moonlight Pizza Company 615 W. Morgan St. 919.755.9133 moonlightpizza.com Pizza La Stella 219 Fayetteville St. 984.200.2441 pizzalastella.com

Stromboli’s Express 2900 Spring Forest Rd. 919.876.4222 strombolisexpress.com

Trophy Brewing & Pizza 827 W. Morgan St. 919.803.4849 trophybrewing.com

SEAFOOD 42nd Street Oyster Bar 508 W. Jones St. 919.831.2811 42ndstoysterbar.com Captain Stanley’s Seafood 3333 S. Wilmington St. 919.779.7878 facebook.com/captainstanleys

Dean’s Kitchen + Bar 1080 Darrington Dr | Cary 919.459.5875 deanskitchenandbar.com Margaux’s Restaurant 8111 Creedmoor Rd. 919.846.9846 margauxsrestaurant.com Saltwater Seafood Market and Fry Shack 4 Fenton St. | 919.834.1813 saltwaterseafoodnc.com The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar 4208 Six Forks Rd. 919.784.0400 thecowfish.com

SOUTH AMERICAN Alpaca Peruvian Charcoal Chicken 4614 Capital Blvd. 919.713.0000 alpacachicken.com

Guasaca Arepa & Salsa Grill 4025 Lake Boone Tr. 919.322.4928 guasaca.com

Driftwood Southern Kitchen 8460 Honeycutt Rd. 919.977.8360 driftwoodraleigh.com

Mami Nora’s 2401 Wake Forest Rd. 919.834.8572 maminoras.com

Humble Pie 317 S. Harrington St. 919.829.9222 humblepierestaurant.com

Oakwood Cafe 300 E. Edenton St. 919.828.5994 oakwoodcaferaleigh.com

Mandolin 2519 Fairview Rd. 919.322.0365 mandolinraleigh.com

Vinos Finos Tapas and Wine Bar 8450 Honeycutt Rd. 919.747.9233 vinosfinosypicadas.com

NOFO @ the Pig 2014 Fairview Rd. 919.821.1240 nofo.com

SOUTHERN Beasley’s Chicken + Honey 237 S. Wilmington St. 919.322.0127 ac-restaurants.com/beasleys Big Ed’s City Market Restaurant 220 Wolfe St. 919.836.9909 bigedscitymarket.com

Pam’s Farmhouse 5111 Western Blvd. 919.859.9990 facebook.com/pamsfarmhouse

The Glenwood

Where Dream Weddings Come True

The Glenwood is an event venue located inside the beltline in Raleigh and is exclusively catered by Irregardless Cafe & Catering. Host your wedding, reception and more at Raleigh's Best-kept Secret.

EVENT VENUE & CATERING

3300 Woman's Club Drive, Raleigh NC www.theglenwoodvenue.com catering@irregardless.com Photo credit: Chad Winstead Photos

midtownmag.com | 141

Poole’s Diner 426 S. McDowell St. 919.832.4477 ac-restaurants.com/pooles Provenance 120 E. Martin St. 984.269.5211 provenanceraleigh.com Relish Café & Bar 5625 Creedmoor Rd. 919.787.1855 relishraleigh.com

919.833.6924 flyingbiscuit.com The Mecca Restaurant 13 E. Martin St. 919.832.5714 mecca-restaurant.com The Remedy Diner 137 E. Hargett St. 919.835.3553 theremedydiner.com

SPANISH

Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse 8551 Brier Creek Pkwy. 919.544.3344 brasasteakhouse.com

Happy + Hale 443 Fayetteville St. 919.307.4148 happyandhale.com

Vinnie’s Steak House and Tavern 7440 Six Forks Rd. 919.847.7319 vinniessteakhouse.com

Irregardless Cafe & Catering 901 W. Morgan St. 919.833.8898 irregardless.com

Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen 500 Fayetteville St. 919.227.3370 ryeraleigh.com

Latin Quarters 7335 Six Forks Rd. 919.900.8333 new.latinquartersnc.com

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN

State Farmers’ Market Restaurant 1240 Farmers Market Dr. 919.755.1550 realbiscuits.com

Tasca Brava 607 Glenwood Ave. 919.828.0840 tascabrava.com

Fiction Kitchen 428 S. Dawson St. 919.831.4177 thefictionkitchen.com

Tupelo Honey Cafe 425 Oberlin Rd. 919.723.9353 tupelohoneycafe.com

STEAKHOUSE

Flying Biscuit Café 2016 Clark Ave.

Angus Barn 9401 Glenwood Ave. 919.791.2444 angusbarn.com

Living Kitchen 555 Fayetteville St. 919.324.3515 livingkitchen.com Raleigh Raw 7 W. Hargett St. 919.400.0944 raleighraw.com

Grabbagreen 4421 Six Forks Rd. #103 919.326.7799

SHOW SOME

LOCAL LOVE. Urban Ministries of Wake County’s

Shop Local Raleigh is about promoting and supporting locally-owned, independent businesses. It’s about fueling the local economy, and helping to preserve the unique character of Raleigh.

Make a difference.

SHOP LOCAL! June 2 | 10am-4pm tourdcoop.com 142 | midtownmag.com

www.ShopLocalRaleigh.org

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midtownmag.com | 143

healthy you

SPONSORED CONTENT

Why High Blood Pressure Is Serious THINK OF IT AS THE WARNING SIGN

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is common and treatable—but it can be dangerous. Because it’s so prevalent, affecting 1 in 3 American adults, it may not seem like a big deal. But it is, says Ben Walker, MD, a cardiologist with North Carolina Heart & Vascular. High blood pressure is a type of cardiovascular disease that can be a warning sign of heart failure and stroke. “For a lot of people, it’s the precursor for more serious conditions,” Dr. Walker says. “It’s the ubiquitous disease that makes everything worse.” The good news is that hypertension can be remedied with lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, reducing sodium in your diet, managing stress, and taking medication. But the first step is to understand how it can damage our bodies.

OF BIGGER PROBLEMS TO COME.

HEART FAILURE

“Heart failure” doesn’t mean the heart stops working completely; it means it doesn’t pump as well. High blood pressure causes the force of blood against the artery walls to be too high. As a result, the heart has to pump harder to work against the high pressure, which causes the heart muscle to thicken and stiffen. This stiffness also keeps the heart from fully relaxing between beats, which means it can’t fill up with enough blood to give the organs what they need.

STROKE

High blood pressure can lead to atrial fibrillation, or AFib, which is defined as an irregular heart rhythm. With AFib, blood pools inside the heart and can form clots. When a clot is pumped away, it may go to the brain and cause a stroke.

AORTIC DISSECTION

The aorta is the body’s main artery: Think of it as a big pipe that extends from your heart through your abdomen. High blood pressure can cause the aortic wall to split, which can cause internal bleeding, organ

damage, stroke, and other complications— in some instances, even death.

NON-CARDIOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS

Hypertension doesn’t just wreak havoc in the heart and veins. It can impact the function of other parts of the body too. It can lead to scarring in the kidneys, which impairs the ability to filter blood. That leads to the buildup of toxins, which can cause illness. Hypertension can also damage vision by changing the shape of arteries in the eye. Now that you know the effects of high blood pressure on your body, be sure to find out your average blood pressure reading so you can be treated if necessary. Dr. Walker encourages patients to take their blood pressure often and discuss results with your doctor. You can use an at-home cuff or a blood pressure machine in a gym or pharmacy.

ARE YOU AT RISK FOR HEART DISEASE?

Take a free online risk assessment at rexhealth.com/heart-aware.

The information on this page is provided by the advertiser mentioned above to the public.

144 | midtownmag.com

Portr

Portraits, Wedding, Commercial & Lifestyle

PHOTOGRAPHY 919.389.5757 | f8photostudios.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

healthy you

When Should You Schedule Your Child’s

First Orthodontist

Appointment? BY DR. HENRY ZAYTOUN, JR.

ZAYTOUN ORTHODONTICS

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF Orthodontists suggests that all children be seen by an orthodontist by age seven. By scheduling the first orthodontist check-up when children are young, early problems can be identified and addressed as needed. However, not all dental conditions should be treated early. The only issues that warrant early intervention are those that would lead to more extensive problems and more aggressive treatment if they were left untreated until a later age when most permanent teeth have erupted. Technology in orthodontics is progressing at an amazingly fast rate, making that first orthodontics evaluation an easy experience even for very young children.

In many cases, those yucky impressions (the ones that the parents of young children probably recall with a grimace) have been replaced with a digital scan. The scanner takes a series of pictures of the teeth, from which all sorts of orthodontic appliances can be made—including retainers and aligners. Most people know that retainers are used after orthodontic treatment ends to keep teeth aligned for years to come. As for aligners, most people have heard of the Invisalign brand, which uses plastic trays instead of braces to move teeth and, in turn, improve your bite. Aligner treatment is almost invisible and, when designed properly by an orthodontist, it can be a very effective way to straighten teeth without braces. Aligners are often used by adults who were treated with braces as a child but have experienced shifting of their teeth as they grew older. And teenagers are also prime candidates for aligners—not only because the aligners are hardly noticeable, but also because of the ease of flossing and brushing with aligners. Plus, they can still eat all the hard, sticky foods that have to be avoided with braces. Regardless of whether braces or aligners are needed, visiting an orthodontist early will set your child on a course to a beautiful healthy smile for years into the future.

The information on this page is provided by the advertiser mentioned above to the public.

146 | midtownmag.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

Cosmetic Enhancements

Is Microneedling For Me?

BENEFITS OF MICRONEEDLING

BY JENNIFER DANIELS THE MEDPSA AT RALEIGH PLASTIC SURGERY CENTER Jennifer Daniels, a top-rated Medical Esthetician and accredited Laser Specialist, owns The MedSpa at Raleigh Plastic Surgery Center.

• Stimulates collagen and elastin that aid in plumping the skin. • Reduces fine line lines and deep wrinkles. • Tightens loose, sagging skin. • Minimizes scarring.

Yes! And you’ll know why when you understand what microneedling can do for you: Microneedling—as well as skin needling, dermal needling, or dermarolling—are all forms of collagen-induction therapy. It is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical and non-ablative procedure for facial rejuvenation. It effectively treats a variety of skin conditions such as fine lines, wrinkles, stretch marks, hyperpigmentation, and scars. The technology uses very fine surgical-grade sterile needles to penetrate the skin, which causes a series of micro injuries to the skin that stimulate collagen and elastin production. The needles are on a handheld device, wand, or roller, which is worked across the skin to create hundreds of tiny perforations. These tiny pricks aid in the body’s wound-healing response by triggering or activating the growth of collagen and elastin. The microneedling process also increases the absorption of serums and products that are applied to the skin immediately post-treatment and over the next 24 hours. Because our skin has the unique capacity to repair and heal itself when a wound or trauma is experienced, the micro-channels created from microneedling will heal within hours, enabling new collagen structures to form within the lower layers of the skin.

Patients experience minimal redness and swelling, and can resume their normal schedule quickly. The end result leaves the skin thicker and more readily available for additional skin treatments. And thicker, collagen-rich skin is key to healthy, natural, youngerlooking complexion. The question everyone asks: Is it a fad or does it deliver real results? Professional skin needling is considered to be one of the safest skin treatment procedures on the market, because it causes minimal damage to the skin while also delivering increased efficacy of products applied to the tissue post-treatment. The procedure is well tolerated by patients, who typically experience very little down time, and it can be easily personalized by changing the depth of needle penetration and by adding other modalities, like radio frequency, to address a multitude of skin concerns.

The information on this page is provided by the advertiser mentioned above to the public.

148 | midtownmag.com

• Improves tone and texture; reduces pore size. • Aids in treating hyperpigmentation and sun damage. • Safe for all skin types and “skin-friendly.”

Find Your

WEEKEND.

Find out what’s doing this weekend as Deborah Holt Noel and team share the best things happening in our state. Whether you’re looking for a hot restaurant or cool club, loud crowds or quiet times, extreme adventures or team sports, family vacations or romantic getaways, North Carolina Weekend brings our state’s must-see places and events home to you. Watch Thursdays, at 9 PM, and throughout the weekend.

Get more at unc.tv/ncw

OUT ABOUT &

MARCH / APRIL CALENDAR OF EVENTS | MIDTOWN MINGLES | NEW AROUND TOWN

ART IN BLOOM March 22–25 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh Art in Bloom features more than 50 floral masterpieces created by worldclass designers inspired by art in the N.C. Museum of Art’s collection. ncartmuseum.org

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calendar ofevents BEER & BANJOS Every Tuesday, 7:30–10:30pm 14 E Hargett Street, Raleigh Head on out to The Raleigh Times for a music series focused on traditional and acoustic music from North Carolina and the Appalachian Mountains. raleightimesbar.com PINTS & POSES YOGA AT RALEIGH BREWING Every Sunday, 10:30am 3709 Neil Street, Raleigh Pints & Poses Yoga happens every Sunday at 10:30am at Raleigh Brewing Company! Bring your mat and a friend; dogs are welcome to join. Beer starts pouring at noon. raleighbrewing.com A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM March 2–18 2 E South Street, Raleigh This exciting adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream puts a contemporary spin on Shakespeare’s whimsical tale of fairies, lovers, and woodland mischief. Expect music, dancing, and lots of fun! dukeenergycenterraleigh.com SATURDAYS AT THE OLD MILL TOURS March 3, 10, 24, 31 4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh Want to get inside Historic Yates Mill? This half-hour tour will let you view the main power drive and milling machinery while exploring the mill’s history and aspects of its preservation. wakegov.com RALEIGH BREWING 5TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY March 3, 12pm–12am 3709 Neil Street, Raleigh Raleigh Brewing is turning five! Celebrate with a special five-year anniversary bottle release (noon), outside beer tents, live music (2-10), a brewer’s cellar with rare releases, and food trucks. raleighbrewing.com

2 E South Street, Raleigh The Music of Michael Jackson takes you through each era of this storied performer from hits like “ABC” and “I’ll Be There” through “Beat It” and many, many more. ncsymphony.org JASON MRAZ March 8, 8pm 2 E South Street, Raleigh An Evening with Jason Mraz, Solo Acoustic begins Thursday, March 8th in Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. dukeenergycenterraleigh.com MONSTER JAM March 10–11 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh Monster Jam monster trucks! The twelvefoot-tall, ten-thousand-pound machine will bring you to your feet, racing and ripping up a custom-designed track full of obstacles to soar over or smash through! thepncarena.com HISTORIC FASHION SHOW: FROM THE REVOLUTION TO THE TITANIC: 150 YEARS OF WOMEN’S FASHIONS March 10, 2–3pm 5 E Edenton Street, Raleigh Love vintage attire? Big hair? Bodacious bustles? Corsets? See nearly 20 models feature the highs—and lows—of women’s fashion over the last 150 years! After the show, meet the models and see some dresses up close. ncmuseumofhistory.org TOAST TO THE TRIANGLE March 11, 6–9pm 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh Tantalize your taste buds at the 32nd annual Toast to the Triangle! Forty of the Triangle area’s best restaurants and beverage providers will be competing to be your favorite flavor of the night by providing samples of their fare. toasttothetriangle.org

CAROLINA BALLET: BOLERO March 8–25 2 E South Street, Raleigh Lynne Taylor-Corbett will return to present an all-new ballet set to Ravel’s Bolero. carolinaballet.com

THE WIZARD OF OZ March 13–18 2 E South Street, Raleigh North Carolina Theatre in collaboration with Broadway Series South presents The Wizard of Oz. There truly is no place like home! nctheatre.com

NORTH CAROLINA SYMPHONY SPECIAL EVENT: THE MUSIC OF MICHAEL JACKSON March 8, 7:30pm

CARNIVAL FOR THE KIDS March 13–18 11915 Retail Drive, Wake Forest The Wake Forest Police Department’s

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Carnival for the Kids promises fun and entertainment for the entire family, including rides, games, and lots of food. wakeforestnc.gov SECOND TUESDAY MIXER March 13, 5:30–7:30pm Locations vary The Downtown Raleigh Alliance is proud to present monthly networking events at bars and restaurants located in each district in downtown. godowntownraleigh.com INVISALIGN NIGHT March 14, 2-6pm 5041 Six Forks Rd #200, Raleigh Come join Dr. Mary Paula, Dr. Henry Jr. and the rest of the Z-Team for an exciting afternoon full of prizes and refreshments as we show you what the power of Invisalign can do for you and your smile! Free scans and consultations for all who attend. For anyone who starts treatment during Invisalign Night, Zaytoun orthodontics will match any down payment up to $300 towards treatment! Limited spots are available, claim your ticket now! zaytounorthodontics.com RALEIGH ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE & THE WEARIN’ ‘O GREEN FESTIVAL March 17, 10am–7pm 400 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day along with the Irish and Celtic traditions and culture. You can find food, drinks, activities for the kids, jewelry, arts, crafts, and live music at the festival. visitraleigh.com DOWNTOWN RALEIGH CRAFT BEER AND FOOD ADVENTURE March 17, 2:30pm 700 Semart Drive, Raleigh Combining some hidden gems in Raleigh’s Person Street and Seaboard Station areas, this adventure features beer with some food pairings for a fun afternoon experience. godowntownraleigh.com 5TH ANNUAL JACKIE’S PUPPAPALOOZA March 18, 11am–6pm 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh Join Jackie’s Basics and Beyond Dog Training for a fun-filled day for you and your dog, including 15 fun events to enter for all ages and sizes of dogs. Included will be special kids events, vendors, prizes, and adoption groups. jackiesbasicsandbeyond.com

NATIONAL INCLUSION PROJECT POWER OF PLAY CONFERENCE March 20–22 201 E Hargett Street, Raleigh Take your next move to building inclusive programs and communities! Gain knowledge and resources on the latest inclusive practices, network with others in the field, and have a lot of fun. godowntownraleigh.com LOVE YOUR SELFIE March 22, 12–8pm 2603 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh Join Synergy for a day of celebrating beauty with complimentary mini-spa services, bubbly, hors d’oeuvres, makeup consultations, raffles, and more! Get ready for spring by putting your best face forward with one-day-only savings on med spa services. RSVP requested. feelsynergy.com ART IN BLOOM March 22–25 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh Art in Bloom features more than 50 floral masterpieces created by world-class designers inspired by art in the N.C. Museum of Art’s collection. ncartmuseum.org

KOINONIA CARES CHARITY AUCTION March 24, 5:30–9pm 107 E South Avenue, Wake Forest Features a full dinner and a silent and live auction of unique items and valuable services donated by local businesses, artists, and individuals. Tickets are $20 per person with only 175 being sold. koinoniaWF.org WAKE FOREST EASTER EGG HUNT March 24, 10am–12:30pm 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest In addition to hiding over 10,000 Easter eggs, PRCR will offer Easter-themed arts and crafts activities plus games and a free raffle. wakeforestnc.gov WAKE COUNTY RESTAURANT & HOTEL JOB FAIR March 28, 10am–3pm 500 S Salisbury Street, Raleigh Enjoy an opportunity to meet with hotel and restaurant brands of all sizes and learn about positions in front desk reception, housekeeping, banquet set-up, food service, building maintenance, kitchen help, and more! raleighhospitality.com

WORLD BEER FESTIVAL March 31, 12–4pm & 6–10pm 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh Find, taste, and discover the beers of your dreams! It’s a chance to sample from over 250 craft and specialty beers from around the world. visitraleigh.com NHL CAROLINA HURRICANES VS. NEW YORK RANGERS March 31, 7pm 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh nhl.com/hurricanes KEVIN HART April 1, 7pm 1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh Kevin Hart will be performing live at PNC Arena as part of the Kevin Hart: The Irresponsible Tour. thepncarena.com ROCK ‘N’ ROLL RALEIGH HALF MARATHON & 5K April 6–8 Downtown Raleigh Race weekend kicks off with a Health & Fitness Expo on Friday and Saturday, and will once again feature two days of running. runrocknroll.com/raleigh

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SMALL CELL HIVE MANAGEMENT April 7, 11am–12pm 5217 Atlantic Avenue, Raleigh Michael Bush is headed to the Atlantic Gardening Company for a talk on Small Cell Hive Management. atlanticgardening.com GIACOMO GATES TO PERFORM AT IRREGARDLESS CAFE April 7, 9–11:30pm 901 W Morgan Street, Raleigh Treat yourself to this special evening with Giacomo Gates. His sheer joy, exuberance, and wit makes him one of jazz’s most compelling artists. irregardless.com SOUTHERN WOMEN’S SHOW April 13–15 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh Shop, sample, and share the fun at the Triangle’s favorite event for women. Discover hundreds of boutiques filled with the latest fashion, trendy jewelry, gourmet treats, health and beauty, and so much more! southernshows.com/wra TUXEDO CAT BALL April 13, 7pm–12:30am 6612 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh Join Safe Haven for Cats for the 14th Annual Tuxedo Cat Ball, a night of delicious food, dancing and spirited bidding on live and silent auction items, all to benefit the nonprofit cat shelter SAFE Haven for Cats! tuxedocatball.org ADVENTURE ROAD: A STORY OF HUCK AND TOM April 14–29 2 E South Street, Raleigh Come alongside Huckleberry Finn and his friend Tom Sawyer as they find themselves knee-deep in adventure, shenanigans, and Mississippi mud! theatreraleigh.com MIDTOWN FARMERS MARKET Every Saturday starting April 14th, 8am–noon The Commons at North Hills Featuring vendors with locally produced breads, desserts, vegetables, produce, nuts, dairy, meats, crafts, and more! midtownfarmers.com SPRING OPEN HOUSE April 14, 9am–5pm 5217 Atlantic Avenue, Raleigh It’s a celebration of the start of a season! Enjoy great deals all day while enjoying food from Arepa Culture Food Truck, wine and beer at the Garden Bar, and a talk with Bryce Lane on gardening at 2pm. atlanticgardening.com 154 | midtownmag.com

BRIGHT STAR April 17–22 2 E South Street, Raleigh From Grammy, Emmy, and Academy award-winning Steve Martin and Grammy award-winning Edie Brickell comes Bright Star, a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in 1920s and ‘40s. nctheatre.com DOWNTOWN RALEIGH CRAFT BEER AND FOOD ADVENTURE April 21, 2:30pm Combining some hidden gems in Raleigh’s Person Street and Seaboard Station areas, this adventure features beer with some food pairings for a fun afternoon experience. godowntownraleigh.com TIME WRAP April 21, 7–10pm 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh Get out those bell-bottoms and disco shoes as you dance to some great rock ’n’ roll, eat some excellent food from local vendors, and drink delicious craft beer, wine, and cocktails. godowntownraleigh.com RALEIGH GARDEN CLUB ANNUAL PLANT SALE April 26–28 537 N Blount Street, Raleigh This three-day plant sale sponsored by the Raleigh Garden Club features herbs, perennials, annuals, and shrubs. raleigh-garden-club.org YOGA IN THE GARDEN April 26, 6–7pm 1903 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh Take a break before finals! N.C. State’s Dance Program Master Class Outdoor Series is led by dance faculty member Autumn Mist Belk. gregg.arts.ncsu.edu BREWGALOO April 27–28 400 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh Brewgaloo features craft breweries from N.C. and partners with local food trucks, vendors, and bands. shoplocalraleigh.com/brewgaloo NORTH STATE BANK SUMMER SALUTE May 5, 7pm 6612 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh The best beach party in Raleigh featuring The Embers with Craig Woolard. Heavy hors d’oeuvres, live & silent auctions & more! summersalute.com

Cat Lovers Rejoice! SAFE Haven for Cats is celebrating your support! Join us for an evening of fun and festivities at TCB 2018

Friday, April 13 | 7 pm North Ridge Country Club This will be an unforgettable night of delicious food and drink, dancing, auction bidding, and fellow cat lovers!

Get your tickets at TuxedoCatBall.org

SEARCHING FOR THE PURRFECT COMPANION?

Come meet our cats! Did you know that owning a cat can trigger calming chemicals in the body, decreasing stress and anxiety levels? With around 100 cats waiting to find forever homes, SAFE Haven has the purrfect match for you!

Visit safehavenforcats.org to meet all the cats available for adoption!

SAFE Haven for Cats 8431 Garvey Dr #137 Raleigh, NC 27616 safehavenforcats.org

HAPPY HOUR ART WALK March 8th | 6pm

MRA and Visual Art Exchange (VAE) Raleigh invite you to a very special evening.

ACCESS. IDEAS. ADVOCACY. NETWORKING.

Attendees will be treated to a walking tour of several art installations in North Hills and hear from the artists themselves about their projects. Guests will hear from artists Mia Yoon, Mollie Earls and Lincoln Hancock. Art tour and drinks by Foothills Brewing begin at Park Central Apartments at 6:00 pm. The evening will end up at World of Beer for drinks and socializing.

GET INVOLVED. GET CONNECTED.

JOIN US!

Lets face itâ&#x20AC;ŚMidtown Raleigh is hot. The Midtown Raleigh Alliance is the driving force pulling businesses, community and elected leaders together to make things happen in Midtown!

Mollie Earls

Lincoln Hancock

Mia Yoon

Sleeper

Aurora

Join us and learn more about exciting projects planned for the Midtown community.

MidtownRaleighAlliance MidtownRal MidtownAlliance

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER ONLINE AT

midtownraleighalliance.org/registration For questions email eholton@midtownraleighalliance.org

midtownmingles

org

ORANGETHEORY FITNESS GRAND OPENING North Hills was seeing orange at the grand opening of Orangetheory Fitnessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; newest location across from Midtown Park! The Open House Health Fair featured healthy treats, a Lilly Pulitzer pop-up store, a raffle with prizes for the mind and body, and the chance to learn about the fitness craze sweeping the nation.

SYNERGY CELEBRATES 13 YEARS

Synergy Spa & Aesthetics recently celebrated their (lucky) 13th anniversary at Vidrio with all of the experts at #TeamSynergy. Founder Anna Churchill had a blast unveiling the exciting big changes for 2018 with Synergy!

25TH TRIANGLE WINE EXPERIENCE GRAND GALA AND AUCTION

The 25th Anniversary Triangle Wine Experience Grand Gala and Auction, featuring 70 winemakers and 18 premier chefs, including Ashley Christensen, Vivian Howard and Scott Crawford, made it the food and wine event of the year. The generosity of the 600+ guests made it the very best fundraising event in the history of the Frankie Lemmon School & Developmental Center. So much good will come from so much fun! midtownmag.com| 157

2018 DIAMOND AWARDS

On Thursday, February 1st, Midtown magazine hosted its 10th Annual Diamond Awards party at the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel to announce the Best of Raleigh for 2018. The celebration included delicious food, drinks from 41 Hundred, and music from SPIN. Throughout the night guests were treated to a wide assortment of giveaways courtesy of local area businesses. Thanks to everyone who made it out, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re already looking forward to 2019! For more photos: davies. gallery/2018Diamond PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVIES PHOTOGRAPHY

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UNITED ARTS COUNCIL’S 8TH ANNUAL STATE OF ARTS & CULTURE IN WAKE COUNTY

Held at the N.C. Museum of Art on January 16th, this year’s event featured Business Support of the Arts awards, introduction of the new year’s Piedmont Laureate, announcements, and performances. In partnership with the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, the Business Support of the Arts awards were presented in four categories (large business, small business, individual/foundation, and arts education).

PHOTO BY CAITLIN PENNA

WHISKEY KITCHEN HOSTS SUPPER CLUB NO. 3

On January 16th, Whiskey Kitchen hosted Supper Club No. 3 and brought diners to the birthplace of whiskey as we know it today: Scotland. Diners embarked on a four-course adventure of celebrated scotch and inspired dining, and courses included a scotch egg, a velouté of haggis with whiskey soda bread, lamb shank shepherd’s pie, and finally, cranachan for dessert. midtownmag.com| 159

new aroundtown

THE PIZZA TIMES PATRICIA is a boutique featuring clothing, jewelry, and home goods. We strive to bring our customers wonderful finds from small companies and artisans that have a story. Our look is minimal, classic and modern.

The Pizza Times joins downtown favorites The Raleigh Times Bar and The Morning Times, serving up pizzas by the pie and by the slice. Inventive daily pie specials are served alongside all the classics, with a $7 lunch special thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sure to please. Open for take-out from 11am to midnight every day of the week.

COUSINS MAINE LOBSTER AT MORGAN STREET FOOD HALL Deb and Greg Keller, owners of Cousins Maine Lobster food trucks in North Carolina, announced plans to open Cousins Maine Lobster Restaurant in the Morgan Street Food Hall. As with their popular food trucks, the new brick-and-mortar location will serve the highest quality lobster direct from the shores of Maine. The husband-wife team is among a dozen franchisees of the Cousins Maine Lobster brand, which operates 28 food trucks and four brick-andmortar restaurants throughout the U.S.

SOUTH MOON UNDER COMING LATE MARCH South Moon Under, an upscale casual clothing retailer, will open its first North Carolina location in North Hills in late March. Known for its ever-evolving and eclectic mix of womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clothing, swimwear, accessories, and gifts, South Moon Under carries brands like Free People, ASTR, Citizens of Humanity, Jeffrey Campbell, Anna Beck, Kendra Scott, Blank NYC, L*Space and Maaji.

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kaleidoscope living

D E S E RT R E V I S I T E D ACRYLIC ON CANVAS, 24" BY 36"

“THIS PIECE EXPRESSES MY LOVE FOR THE SOUTHWEST LANDSCAPE. ITS DRAMA IS INTOXICATING. IT WAS PART OF AN EXHIBITION IN FEBRUARY AT THE CAMPBELL HOUSE GALLERIES IN SOUTHERN PINES.” – CONSTANCE PAPPALARDO

Constance Pappalardo is best known for her imaginary landscapes in water media and acrylic. Her work has been shown and collected in the U.S. as well as in Europe and her native Peru. Born in Lima, Peru, she moved to New York City as a child and studied art at the Art Students League and the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. She moved to the Triangle 32 years ago, and lives in Cary with her husband, author Ron Pappalardo.

CONSTANCEPAPPALARDO.COM

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