+ >> THEHOLIDAYISSUE
CAPITALCITY
Raleigh Bartenders Incorporate North Carolina Distilled Spirits Into Creative Holiday Cocktails
COCKTAILS OCKTAILS eakfasT, Monk’s Brrace C. G ar Cocktail B PAGE 90
november/december 2016
top 5 for the holidays Gifts From here: shopping raleigh hair for the holidays holiday gift guide
a note FROM the publisher Publisher/Editor Sioux Watson Advertising Sales Charis Painter | Ashley Carter | Sioux Watson Mark Holmes Creative Director Travis Aptt Graphic Design Lori Lay Social Media Intern Andy Bradshaw
D
riving to a wedding in central Virginia a few weekends ago, I vowed to avoid all interstates and only travel on the many scenic highways and byways of NC and Virginia. The gorgeous fall weather prompted a spontaneous decision on Sunday to take a 40-minute detour and visit Montpelier, the ancestral home of our fourth US president, James Madison. Madison composed the first drafts of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and earned the nickname “Father of the Constitution.” A slight man at 5’4” and barely 100 pounds, he possessed an intellect that had a huge bearing on the founding of our democracy and governmental structure that still stands today – 230 years later. Much of these historical details seem dull when reading from a book, but come alive when visiting a museum or historical site of significance. North Carolina cannot boast a native-born president; however, Dolley Madison was born in Greensboro to a Quaker family, and she played an important role in the early years of our country. As the White House hostess and social icon for 16 years, she influenced Washington society during both her husband’s two terms and his good friend, the widowed Thomas Jefferson’s two terms. She became the first official “First Lady”, and was the only First Lady given an honorary seat on the floor of Congress; she lived through two wars, and knew the first 12 presidents. At Montpelier, the life of Dolley Madison is covered extensively too, as are the lives and experiences of the largest population of the plantation at the time, the enslaved people of the Madison family. Visiting the cemetery of the family, with its many headstones, and then the slave cemetery, with only indentions in the earth
covered with a soft layer of periwinkle, was more moving than any of the other details I witnessed that day. John, my group’s tour guide on our 45-minute tour, was lively, smart, and somewhat of a high school history teacher who clearly loved his subject. In Madison’s library, which he called “the most important room in the world,” his passionate refrain was how critical and brilliant Madsion’s work was, in ultimately bringing the many disparate voices and opinions together to compromise and finally agree upon the document that was to become the US Constitution. My weekend trip reminded me of at least three tips for living well and happy in these crazy, politically charged times. Indulge me as we head into the traditionally “happiest holiday” period of the year. •
Honor the history of our country by reading about how it came about during those very tumultuous times, and visit historic places and museums for a deeper understanding of our country’s beginnings.
•
Slow down, take the back roads, and be spontaneous.
•
Keep an open mind to hearing others’ ideas, be ready to compromise, and embrace our differences.
Sioux
Wouldn’t it be a dull world if we were all the same?
Contributing Writers Dan Bain | Jenni Hart | Dave Droschak Karlie Justus Marlowe | Corbie Hill Julie Johnson | Kurt Dusterburg | Carol Wills Carla Turchetti | Steven Major | Frank Harmon Anna Churchill | Paul Savery Photography Davies Photography | Joe Reale Photography 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 US equal opportunity law.
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Haydon & Company
® 1803 Oberlin Road • Raleigh, NC 27608 • 919.781.1293 • Toll Free: 866.429.3667 www.haydonco.com • Member of the American Gem Society
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BEST PLACE TO GET YOUR SMILE ON
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contents n ovem ber/ decem ber
features 73 top 5 for the holidays
The top songs, gifts, decorating inspiration and so much more.
84 Volunteer Raleigh: Heart of the City
Feel inspired to volunteer your services to the City of Raleigh? We’ll show you people around town who are making an impact and how you can find the right volunteer position to make the best use of your talents.
98 holiday gift guide
70 amazing items to satisfy all of your holiday shopping needs!
gifts from here 110
How to shop Raleigh this holiday season.
116 hair for the holidays
There are many options for looking your holiday best. We’ve got six fantastic hairstyles suggested by talented stylists at our top local salons.
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capital city cocktails Raleigh bartenders incorporate North Carolina distilled spirits into creative holiday cocktails.
24 | midtownmag.com
2016
contents novem ber/ decem ber
2016
departments 28 on the scene 38 bain’s beat 42 beauty style 44 beer & barrel 48 close to home 52 financial focus 54 foodie focus 56 giving back 60 sunday supper 68 what’s app? 70 wine review 128 midtown downtown 140 healthy you 147 out & about 162 everyday places
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the interview: chef scott crawford 26 | midtownmag.com
>> THEHOLIDAYISSUE
CAPITALCITY
Raleigh Bartenders Incorporate North Carolina Distilled Spirits Into Creative Holiday Cocktails
COCKTAILS OCKTAILS T, Monk’s Breakfas C. grACe COCKTAIL BAr PaGe 90
special thanks to davies Photography for our beautiful cover photo
november/december 2016
top 5 fOr The hOLIdAYS Gifts from here: ShOPPIng rALeIgh hair fOr The hOLIdAYS hOLIdAY Gift Guide
The scene
on
taste
Yuletide Cheer
Lucettegrace’s Contemporary Take On a Seasonal Classic By Steven Major / Photography by Davies Photography The winter months evoke different images in people. For many, holiday traditions and time with family come to mind. Infectious holiday music fills department stores, along with the hustle and bustle of shoppers. And of course there’s the food: large decorative desserts, sweets laid out for holiday guests, and large meals with friends and family. Daniel Benjamin opened Lucettegrace during the winter months of 2014, and the downtown Raleigh patisserie quickly became a part of the winter season for many. Families bring their children by to warm up after ice skating on Fayetteville Street with a cup of hot chocolate or a sipping caramel. Gift boxes of macarons go out the door to be given as gifts to friends and family. And shortly before the 25th, the bûche 28 | midtownmag.com
de Noël orders are ready to be picked up and brought home to decorate the table and delight the taste buds after Christmas dinner. Bûche de Noël, or Yule log, was originally associated with a centuriesold tradition of decorating and burning a large log to symbolize the lengthening days and the eventual return of summer before becoming a part of Christmas celebrations in Europe. Using a cake as a stand-in was popularized by the French in the 19th century. The dessert is made by rolling a frosted layer of cake to form a roulade, which is then covered with another layer of icing. The Yule logs at Lucettegrace are made with the addition of a flat layer of cake that the roulade is set upon before the final layer of icing is applied. This allows for some more interesting
flavor combinations and provides a nice base for the bûche de Noël to rest on while maintaining the traditional log shape. They offer three varieties to choose from: red velvet cake rolled with raspberry cream, set with cream cheese frosting; light cocoa cake rolled with Bourban-pecan mousse with a brownie serving as the base, set in milk chocolate mousse with a chocolate glaze; and finally a ginger cake rolled with lemon cream, set in a chai mousse and covered in meringue. For those who like a bit of tartness with their sweets the ginger with lemon cream is a perfect combination of the two, while the cocoa cake on brownie combination is a chocolate lover’s dream come true. For those who can’t decide which to order, there is always the option of getting two.
The scene
on
TECH
Fibonacci Clock
photography © Cindy Boyce Photo
it’s Time for Math By Dan Bain
to do a little math, s/he can interpret the lights as an expression of time in five-minute increments. The squares’ side lengths represent the first five numbers of the Fibonacci Sequence: 1, 1, 2, 3, and 5. In this sequence, each successive number is the sum of the previous two numbers; 1+1=2, 1+2=3, and 2+3=5. This might not seem remarkable to most of us, but it means something to mathematicians, scientists, engineers, and possibly philosophers. It’s recurrent in nature, is very important, and is revered by the erudite. So, how does it display time? Each colored square represents one of the aforementioned numbers, and the colors change every five minutes (which might be how long it takes one of us normal people to do the math). Red squares’ values are added to determine the hour, and green squares’ values are photography © Cindy Boyce Photo added and multiplied
I admit, this piece of technology might have limited appeal. Not everyone wants to have to go through mental gymnastics just to know what time it is, but if you’re looking for a unique gift for someone who might not mind, the Fibonacci Clock is a nerdycool novelty that’s sure to hit the mark. It’s a clock with no numbers – only a pattern of five illuminated squares on the face of a wooden box, resembling those old party novelty light boxes from the 60s and 70s. But there’s a code in the lights, and if the viewer is willing
30 | midtownmag.com
photography © adafruit.com
by five to determine the minutes. Blue squares count as both red and green, so they are added to both calculations. White squares are ignored. So, if the big square (5) is red, one small square (1) is green, and one small square (1) is blue, it’s 6:10 (I think). Once the user has mastered the red-green-blue pattern, it’s possible to change the color scheme, just to keep the ol’ brain cells fresh. If this sounds like a lot of hassle to determine time in five-minute increments, then we are in agreement. But it’s still a good novelty, sure to be appreciated by that smart friend, family member, or colleague. The clock is available in different finishes for $135-$145, and an unassembled kit is available for $85 at store.basbrun.com.
The scene
on
style
Quite the Caper a Twist on Traditional Holiday Outerwear
By Karlie Justus Marlowe / Photography by Davies Photography Dressing up for round after round of holiday parties comes with one very perplexing conundrum: How to top off a festive look without dampening the look or, well, actually getting damp from winter’s chill. Enter capes and ponchos, trends from the seventies that have resurfaced in 2016. In a variety of fabrications, weights and styles, these toppers are a fun alternative to coats. Downtown Raleigh boutique The Art of Style, which recently moved to Hargett Street from Cameron Village, sells two styles of the trend that balance chicness and practicality. The London, featured at right, is a cape-like take on the trench coat staple that comes in khaki and black, while the Priestly Poncho is a chic belted poncho. “Our Priestly Poncho is the perfect transition piece for fall due to its versatility and functionality, especially for our crazy North Carolina weather,” said creative director Natalie Drennon. “With its short sleeves and lightweight wool fabric, you have the option to wear ‘as is’ with a tee and jeans for warmer days with the option to lose the layers if need be, or dress it up with a turtleneck, trousers and heels for crisp, cool nights out on the town.” Thanks to its volume and draping, this style looks great on all different body types, and is a trend that is current but still classic. “It has a way of not coming off as too conservative, nor too ‘out there’, where no matter your style, each woman will wear it differently,” notes Drennon. “But one thing is for sure: it pulls your outfit together, adding that extra bit of posh that all outfits deserve.” Style a poncho or cape with an eye toward accessories. The Priestly Poncho is sold with a thin leather and metallic belt that cinches the waist to keep volume at bay, and pairs well with the corset-style choker and chunky heel trends of fall and winter. It’s also an ideal piece to layer on top of turtlenecks, sleeveless trench coats, and sleek lightweight blazers for day. For night, turn the volume up. “At The Art of Style we love to make a statement with our style, so naturally we like to step it up a notch when we are out and about downtown,” said Drennon. “Pair a poncho over a deep-v, long-sleeved shirt or our mesh bodysuit worn with a cool bralette. Or tuck it into our high-waisted flared culottes, take off the attached belt and leave the poncho open. With a simple black choker and sexy sandals, voila! A saucy, all-black ensemble that screams ‘girls night’!” 32 | midtownmag.com
The scene
on
arts
Co-founder Heather Burns in the new performance space at 300 S. McDowell Street.
Hours of Operation:
Members Only: Monday through Thursday, 9am-9pm Public Welcome: Friday and Saturday, 9am-12am; Sunday, 10am-9pm
Imurj Yourself Creativity Goes Underground By Jenni Hart / Photography by Joe Reale Visual and performing artists have a new place to gather, create and perform, and it couldn’t be in a cooler location. Imurj is scheduled to open in late November in a 6,000-square foot space just below street level, under the new Whiskey Kitchen near the southeast corner of Nash Square. With two performance stages, a nicely outfitted recording studio, art studio and gallery space – and a café featuring counter-service edibles, beer taps and a coffee bar – Imurj is on track to become a favorite second home for creative folks, and their friends and supporters. Co-founder Heather Burns and managing partner, Karl Thor, have worked with a group of beta members whose feedback helped shape the space and its offerings. Burns says emerging musicians and artists will now have affordable access to 34 | midtownmag.com
exhibition and performance space, as well as a media center for recording and mixing music. Classes and workshops are being planned for the art studio. Members interested in promoting their art can also receive assistance with professional photography and videography. “I recently heard it described as an artist clubhouse,” Burns says. It seems a fitting description. The Imurj name is a blend of immersion (in the arts) and emerging (artists), and as you might expect, it enters the scene with a thoughtfully rendered logo and crisp, colorful website. Ryan Cuthriell of Gusto Design Co. designed both. Burns, who has prior success as a retail owner, envisions more than just a destination. She and Thor intend to actively support and promote local artists, and provide valuable services
and benefits to help them grow. “Even established artists have a tough time paying for studio space and managing the business aspects of their work,” she says. “Our goal is to help them overcome some of those hurdles.” Take the gallery space, for example. Imurj staff will install the art, process both on-site and online sales, and arrange local pick-up. For a buyer unable to pick up in person, staff will take care of packing and shipping. As many artists will tell you, these are the tedious logistics that tend to crimp their creative output. Imurj will debut with two membership levels, each surprisingly affordable. Premium annual membership of $125 • Invitation to join the online Imurj community to engage and network • Enjoy access to all member-only events, workshops and socials • Discounted rates on media and recording services • Welcome to apply to exhibit or perform Basic annual membership of $25 • Invitation to join the online Imurj community to engage and network • Enjoy access to select memberonly events, workshops and socials • Access to media and recording services There is no age requirement for membership, but minors will need parental consent and must be at least 13 years old to have an online portfolio. For additional details, visit Imurj.com.
The scene
on
sports
Photo courtesy of Carolina Hurricanes
Long Overdue
Return to Playoffs On Horizon for Hurricanes? By Dave Droschak With general manager Ron Francis and coach Bill Peters inking contract extensions through the 201819 season, the plan is in place. It’s the other “P” word – patience – fans of the Carolina Hurricanes are hoping disappears sooner rather than later. “It’s tough for our fans when we haven’t make the playoffs; you want it to happen yesterday,” said Francis. “The word patience was thrown around here a few years ago and it wasn’t accepted very well, and I understand why.” An unexpected Stanley Cup championship in college hoops country in 2006 has been followed mostly with futility, with just one playoff appearance since that magical season now more than a decade ago, including seven straight whiffs at the postseason. Fans have taken notice, with the Hurricanes sinking to dead last in NHL attendance last season at just 12,204 (1,100 fewer than 29th place Arizona). 36 | midtownmag.com
By contrast, the Canes averaged more than 17,000 fans the season after the Cup victory. There is a new direction of sorts as Carolina begins life without longtime captain Eric Staal, who was dealt at last year’s trade deadline. Only goalie Cam Ward remains from the title team, as the Canes have gone to a youth movement by stockpiling draft picks via trades. “For me, it’s not so much patience, but these kids are young and they have to grow and get to the levels they are capable of playing at,” Francis said. “All of a sudden we’re going to wake up one day and those kids are going to mature, and away we go.” Francis and Peters believe the organization has more depth than ever before, which will create opportunity en masse, not just among players with multi-year contracts. “It brings a compete culture to our locker room and on the ice without us
having to hit them over the head with a hammer,” Francis said. “Our message from day one was to build it from the ground up. In a perfect world, I want a guy to be over-ripe rather than making mistakes when he comes to the NHL.” As part of the staff of the gold medal-winning Canadian team at the recent World Cup of Hockey, Peters has seen the best up close. “Speed is the currency in the game right now, for sure,” Peters said. “You’ve to be able to think the game fast, you’ve got to be able to move the puck – so the way we’re going to try to play is with puck speed, foot speed and gap speed. And you don’t have to be little to be fast. You can be big and strong and be fast. We want fast, smart, intelligent players. And we’re getting there. You have to earn it to be here, and our guys understand that. It’s an exciting time.” But is it playoff time?
bain’s beat
Blue Year’s Day A Resolution Revolution
by Dan bain, Beat-Ender, danbain07@gmail.com
38 | midtownmag.com
If you ask me, the holidays come at the wrong time of year. And we can’t even describe that time correctly. When are “the holidays?” For many, this phrase refers to Christmas and New Year’s Day. For me, it’s the time from the moment I wake up on Thanksgiving Day, to whatever moment I set foot in the office for the first time in January. For others, it includes Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Masopust (okay, I admit I had to look that one up), and other dates important to their customs. Whatever you celebrate, my point comes back to my rhetorical question above – when is it? To refer to all of them, we sometimes use the phrase “winter holidays.” But think about it – winter doesn’t even start until some of those holidays are past. Thanksgiving is clearly an autumn holiday. Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev, which is a moving target. A few years back, it was the same date as Thanksgiving. This year, it’s Christmas. So some years it starts in winter. Kwanzaa begins
the day after Christmas, which itself is barely a winter holiday. Why do we associate Christmas with winter? It happens less than a week into that season, yet we associate it with snow. By “we,” I mean the country as a whole. I know Christmas is celebrated in other countries, but I daresay the US is responsible for an overwhelming majority of the things that make up Christmas culture. Certainly, “White Christmas” was written here. If you want to get even more local, how likely is a white Christmas in the Triangle? According to the State Climate Office, it’s happened four out of the last 123 years – pretty long odds. Even the carols lie to us. Ever hear “The Snow Lay on the Ground?” It’s a fun song, but I guarantee you, no snow lay on the ground in Bethlehem that night. Then there’s “In the Bleak Midwinter,” which is about as chronologically incorrect as you can get. Since when is December 25th midwinter? It’s four days in, out of 91. You know what common
holiday is actually closest to “midwinter?” Groundhog Day. That sorta changes the context of the carol a bit, doesn’t it? Regardless of where the holidays happen in winter, I still argue it’s a bad time for them. These are supposed to be times of joy and renewal. I’d argue for putting them at the start of spring, if not for the pollen. Having them any time in winter means we have our fun indoors, but if we look outside, everything is dead. I’m admittedly a winter person; I find the weather invigorating, but it’s kind of a bummer to see brown death everywhere when I’m supposed to be celebrating a promise of salvation. Or maybe the holidays are just in the wrong order. I guess I’d be okay with the declining weather if I didn’t also know I had nothing but New Year’s Day to look forward to after Christmas ends. To me, there’s nothing worse than going to bed the night of December 25th – except maybe waking up the morning of January 1st. Everything just feels so somber on New Year’s Day. I know it’s supposed to be about new beginnings, but does anyone really see it that way? I doubt it; otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many people marking its coming by getting blind, stinking drunk the night before. If we’re being honest, we’re all dreading it – the resolutions, the taking down of the decorations, the desolate weather ahead, and all the rest of it. Why else does January feel like such an interminably long month? We might pretend to be all about the fresh outlook, but let’s face it – for most of us, it takes longer to break the habit of writing the previous year on dated documents than it does to break our resolutions. Even Bono knows this, as he wrote the diametrically opposed lyrics “I will begin again” and “Nothing changes on New Year’s Day” in the same song about that dreaded day. If New Year’s Day were maybe six months later, it wouldn’t be that way. We should switch it with Memorial Day, which we celebrate inappropriately, anyway. We’re midtownmag.com | 39
supposed to be somber on Memorial Day; what better time than during the post-holiday letdown? Then, with New Year’s Day at the end of May, we wouldn’t feel guilty about having a cookout when we know we have more serious responsibilities for the day. And think of what there would be to look forward to after New Year’s Day – swimming pools opening, boating expeditions, beach trips, and vacations from work and school! This would eliminate one other bummer from New Year’s Day – the goodbyes. Where it sits now, New Year’s Day is always a time for farewells – to visitors, to getting gifts, to all the great food of the holidays, and to the comfortable bad habits we swear we’re really going to kick for more than a week this time. That would change if we celebrated it at the end of May. Other than teachers, who says goodbye just as summer is coming on? We really should press this issue with our newly elected leaders this year – I’m with myrth, so let’s make the holidays fete again. But there is one goodbye I can’t avoid this New Year’s Day, and that’s to this column. As well as to you, faithful reader – if such a person exists. Only two people have copped to being regular readers of Bain’s Beat in the past, and one of them is the mother of the publishing company’s owner. But I appreciated the feedback, so thank you, Ronny’s mom and thank you, stranger at the writers’ conference! If you’re still reading it, please know your comments meant the world to me. But it’s time for the Beat to end. I’ve enjoyed writing it over the past eight and a half years – that’s about 50 topics I’ve scratched my head to come up with, and 50 random neurons that eventually fired in my brain a day or two before deadline. I’m grateful to Ronny and all of the editors who’ve given me the leeway to act on those neurons, and tolerated my ramblings. I only hope they – and all of you – have enjoyed them as much as I have. Happy New Year! 40 | midtownmag.com
midtownmag.com | 41
beautystyle
Step Up Your Stocking Stuffers Give the gifts that keep on giving!
Whether they’ve been naughty or nice this year, stuff their stocking in style with presents they’ll love long after the merriment of the holidays. Some of the best gifts aren’t always on their wish list, so I’m sharing my top picks for stocking stuffers they don’t even know they need, but will be oh-so-grateful to receive. Make their spirits bright with these petite presents that pack a punch: by anna churchill, Synergy Spa & Aesthetics, feelsynergy.com
Jane Iredale Pretty Presents Collection Help them spritz & sparkle in ultimate style with this pursesized collection from my favorite mineral makeup line, Jane Iredale. The Hydration Spray Minis are perfect for setting makeup and pick-me-ups. The Champagne on Ice kit contains sparkly mini-glosses in three flattering, sheer shades. $10-$35, janeiredale.com
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Juvéderm Volbella
Agluit Fur Keychain Pom
Clarisonic Mia Fit
Pucker up under the mistletoe with lips that are full of the holiday spirit, but still look like a natural gift. New Juvéderm Volbella is the ultimate filler for those who want to contour the lip, add a touch of volume, and keep the enhancement as natural-looking as possible. Juvéderm Volbella is a new hyaluronic acid (HA) breakthrough filler that lasts up to a year, with virtually no swelling or downtime! $400 per syringe, purchase as a gift certificate at participating med spas
Keys will never again be hard to find at the bottom of a purse when attached to these adorable and chic fur poms. I found the store Harricana while I was recently in Quebec and instantly fell in love with their 100% recycled fur products, which have saved the lives of more than 800,000 animals over the past 15 years. $29 (US), harricana.qc.ca
Clean skin is the greatest gift of all, and this compact, lightweight sonic cleansing device is the best on the market. The Clarisonic Mia Fit cleans six times better than hand washing alone, and pairs well with the Neostrata Glycolic Foaming Wash. $219, clarisonic. com
Portable USB Ultrasonic Oil Diffuser De-stress while in traffic during holiday shopping (or any time of the year) with the Now Solutions Portable USB Oil Diffuser. Plug it into your USB port, add water and a few drops of essential oil, and allow the cool steam to help you relax when bumper to bumper. $27, nowfoods.com
beer& barrel
Photo © Brewers Association
Brewing Gold
North Carolina Brewers Bring Home the Medals By julie johnson
Andrew Durstewitz was busy opening a new taproom at D9 Brewing Company near Charlotte on a Saturday in October when the messages began pouring in. “My phone started going nuts, a million text messages, all of our friends and distributors texting. To be a little crass, the main message was ‘You [expletive] won gold!’” The two-year-old brewery had entered a single beer in the competition held at the annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver, and had won the gold medal in the Experimental Beer category. “This is the first year in six years that I’ve not been able to attend,” Durstewitz says. At Lynnwood Brewing Concern in Raleigh, the brew crew received two waves of excited texts as their beers took gold in two categories. Lead brewer Andy Gallagher had been forced to skip the festival for the first time in many years. “When we got the news, we drank the beers that won, I’m pretty sure,” he laughs. A GABF medal is certainly an occasion to celebrate. The 35-year-old event is the granddaddy of American beer 44 | midtownmag.com
festivals, and a medal in the professional competition confers big bragging rights. Following four days of closeddoor evaluations, 286 medals were awarded for the best commercial beers in the United States in 96 different beer style categories. If that sounds like every entry might get a medal, consider the size of the field: 7,227 competition entries from 1,752 breweries. 2016 was a remarkable year at the GABF for North Carolina breweries, who brought home 17 medals. Brown Truck Brewery in High Point was named Very Small Brewing Company/Brewer of the Year for the top showing in their size category. Overall, the state ranked fourth in the nation in number of awards. This kind of prominence is new to us. The last decade has seen explosive growth in breweries in the state, and awards tend to correlate pretty closely with the number of breweries. But not just because it increases the number of entries: a big brewing community means a rich, diverse brewing culture, and that diversity is certainly reflected in
American-Style Light Lager or German-Style Light Lager: #10 American Lager, Brown Truck Brewery, High Point
North Carolina’s winning beers. Systema Natura, D9’s entry, is a sour beer flavored with scuppernong grapes (the state fruit) and Carolina lily (the state wildflower). In addition, each beer in the series is fermented with microorganisms collected from unconventional sources. “We buy different organic material, then locate all the different yeasts and bacteria,” says Durstewitz. “We isolate them into individual strains, then see which strains give the best taste.” This mad scientist approach requires the efforts of a full-time microbiologist on the staff. Lynnwood’s two winning entries are more conventionally-fermented ales, each showcasing hops in distinctive ways. Drop Bear Australian Pale Ale is “fruit-forward, as far as the hops go,” says Gallagher. “The style calls for hops from Australia and New Zealand. They’re all very fruity: a lot of mango, guava, and tropical fruits.” The other winning entry won in the AmericanStyle Black Ale category, a relatively new beer style. He describes the beer, Once You Go, as “intensely hoppy – just dark and intensely hoppy!” Justifying the faith of North Carolina beer lovers, our breweries are producing world-class beer, with the medals to prove it. 46 | midtownmag.com
Experimental Beer: Dry Hopped Systema of Naturae-Scuppernong & Lily, D9 Brewing Co., Cornelius German-Style Maerzen: Zirkusfest Oktoberfest Lager, Hi-Wire Brewing, Asheville Australian-Style or International-Style Pale Ale: Drop Bear Australian Pale Ale, Lynnwood Brewing Concern, Raleigh American-Style Black Ale: Once You Go, Lynnwood Brewing Concern, Raleigh Herb and Spice Beer: NoDajito, NoDa Brewing Co., Davidson, Charlotte Old Ale or Strong Ale: Irish Walker, Olde Hickory Brewery, Hickory Scottish-Style Ale: White Street Scottish Ale, White Street Brewing Co., Wake Forest American-Belgo-Style Ale: #4.5 Hops with Saison Added, Brown Truck Brewery, High Point Specialty Saison: #4 Saison, Brown Truck Brewery, High Point Sweet Stout or Cream Stout: Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout, Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery, Farmville American-Style Wheat Beer With Yeast: Medley of Moods, Gibb’s Hundred Brewing Co., Greensboro Wood-and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout: The Event Horizon, Olde Hickory Brewery, Hickory Belgian-Style Blonde Ale or Pale Ale: Lunatic, Wicked Weed Brewing, Asheville American-Belgo-Style Ale: White Wall Wit, Crank Arm Brewing Co., Raleigh Bohemian-Style Pilsener: Torch Pilsner, Foothills Brewing Co., Winston-Salem South German-Style Hefeweizen: Shotgun Betty, Lonerider Brewing Co., Raleigh
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close tohome
New Chapter
North Hills welcomes a nationally recognized independent bookstore as one of its newest neighbors. By carla turchetti PHOTOGRAPHY By davies PHOTOGRAPHY
48 | midtownmag.com
Quail Ridge Books is settling into its brandnew home in North Hills. The space is as fashionable as a number-one bestseller with all the comfort of a leatherbound classic. “Every time I walk in, it is still unbelievable to me,� says Quail Ridge Books owner, Lisa Poole. Quail Ridge Books was founded in the mid 1990s when the late Nancy Olson opened up the original location in Midtown at Quail Corners Shopping Center. Olson expanded into a larger space on Wade Avenue, growing the business with a combination of stellar customer service and selection alongside reading events featuring authors. Poole purchased the shop when Olson was ready to retire and eventually decided to make the move to North Hills, which had been courting the store for years.
“I made sure to get her blessing before we moved, that was so very important to me,” Poole says. “I went over to her house and she was in declining health. But she was very proud of the store and she said, ‘I love what you’ve done. I think it’s a great idea.’” And Nancy Olson is a part of the new space. “Nancy is in here in lots of different places. We brought with us some of the elements from the old store. The pictures in the bathrooms of the authors. The fireplace that people always sat around. We have a beautiful photograph of Nancy looking out over everything. And we’ve got some shelves with her favorite books, but we have to change them out because she had so many favorite books. It was important for us to bring that over here.” One of the centerpiece traditions of Quail Ridge Books is the author events. Poole says on a recent month there was an author visit inside the store every single day, with two programs on some Saturdays. “I love that we can personally meet with authors in a setting that is convenient and friendly,” says book lover Zeel Patel. “Being able to get a signed copy of a book is an added bonus.” Shop Local In a world full of online ordering and big box retailers, how does an independent bookseller thrive? “In our bookstore and in other independents I’ve been in, midtownmag.com | 49
our people will greet you when you walk in the door and they know their stuff,” Poole says. “They will help you, but they will not over-help you.” The entire staff made the move to the North Hills location, bringing decades of bookselling experience with them. They are also proud to have been recognized last year with a national award for customer satisfaction and literary knowledge. Midtown Proud Poole loves being a part of the Midtown neighborhood. From the residents who live at North Hills to other business owners and their employees, she says everyone has been welcoming and supportive. She credits Kane Realty with working hard to make the store’s transition a smooth one, including setting her up at a temporary North Hills location while the permanent one was being readied. And she is extending the same welcome mat to her past, present and future customers. “We encourage browsing. That should be a thing at a book store,” Poole says. “I would love for this to be a hangout spot. We are close to two Starbucks and other places. You can get your coffee and it’s not far to walk here. We are pet-friendly as well.” Poole is proud of the children’s book area that she describes as “magical”. And she believes in the power of reading to and with children, counting a children’s book as one of her favorite works of all time. “When I was growing up my mom read The Borrowers by Mary Norton. She would read us a chapter at night, and I fell in love with that book. “ And in turn her own daughter offers up a selection for another alltime favorite book. “The Book Thief,” Poole says. “It is so beautifully written and an incredible story.” The Epilogue Once the punch list is complete and the dust has settled, what is Poole’s goal for her store? “We want to continue to have stellar authors and even better authors. We want to continue to partner with Meredith College and NC State to have off-site events. And we want to grow the clientele. Let people know that there is this wonderful independent bookstore that you can call yours. This is your community. Come in and see your bookstore.” 50 | midtownmag.com
midtownmag.com | 51
sponsored content
financial focus
CM. Concierge may charge up to $250 per month or an annual fee anywhere from $1,500 to $30,000. DPC fees are usually lower, ranging from $25-$85 per month with no annual fee.
SIMILAR, BUT DIFFERENT DIRECT PRIMARY CARE AND CONCIERGE MEDICINE
•
Concierge typically collects fees from the patient as well as the insurance company. DPC does not file any insurance, accepting payments only from the patient, thus avoiding interference in the physician-patient relationship. This also eliminates costs associated with billing, coding and prior authorizations, allowing decreased overhead charges and thus, lower cost of DPC to the patient.
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DPC, with much lower monthly fees, presents the advantages of a Concierge practice, but at a price almost any individual can afford, as well as employers looking for lower cost healthcare alternatives for their employees.
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DPC is very attractive to patients with high deductible insurance, with yearly out-of-pocket costs often much less than the annual insurance deductible.
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DPC is mentioned in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and when paired with high deductible insurance may fulfill the requirements of the ACA. It tends to cater to the underinsured and uninsured.
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The total number of patients in a DPC practice is around 800-1000 as opposed to 2,500-3,000 in a typical private fee-for-service practice. Fewer patients means more dedicated time per patient.
By Schneider Medical Group
The practice of medicine has undergone significant changes over the past few years, with more to come. While intent for the changes may have been good, the subsequent overload of administrative waste and excess as well as increased costs associated with third party payer requirements has resulted in physicians spending less and less time with their patients. All of this is driving physicians to develop new practice models such as Direct Primary Care (DPC) and Concierge Medicine (CM), saving themselves and their patients the time, frustration and costs associated with the increasing complexity of third party payments and bureaucratic red tape. While DPC and CM have a number of similarities, they are not the same. It is understandable how patients can often be confused about the difference between DPC and CM, given the common 52 | midtownmag.com
core themes. Each works on the premise of a smaller membership-based patient panel, allowing longer office visits (3045 minutes compared to 8-12 minutes in a typical primary care practice), more personal interaction with patients, resulting in a more comprehensive, compassionate and satisfying experience for both patient and physician. Both offer primary and preventive care, urgent care, chronic disease management and wellness support. They also have after-hour availability, same or next day appointments, annual physicals and personalized wellness plans. Differences, however, are significant, with Direct Primary Care tending to present a much more affordable alternative to higher priced Concierge Medicine. •
Membership fees for a DPC practice are typically lower than
In essence, Direct Primary Care and Concierge Medicine present a much welcome return to traditional comprehensive and highly personalized patient care. Direct Primary Care tends to do this at a lower cost, affordable to just about everyone.
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foodie focus
Standard Foods has opened back up under the guidance of chef Eric Montagne and master sommelier Fred Dexheimer.
Loosen Your Belts Raleigh Triangle restaurant news
by sean lennard, Triangle food guy, trianglefoodblog.com
Carroll’s Kitchen, located at 19 East Martin Street, is now open. Turn to page 56 to read more in this issue’s Giving Back. Raleigh’s City Market looks to welcome the opening of City Market Sushi in November. Korean brothers Jin Ho Chang and Shawn Chang have also owned restaurants in Greensboro and Raleigh, as well as a food truck. Anniversary shout outs – Capital Club 16 recently celebrated six years, and Moonlight Pizza turned 20 a few weeks back. Charles Winston and Wil O’Neal celebrate the 30th year of their Raleigh landmark, Winston’s Grille. If you’ve never been before, do yourself a favor and go. Sean Lennard runs his own online corporate catering business, Triangle Food Guy, serving the entire Triangle for any size event. Tapping into local restaurant partners, he is your one-stop order for any type of food or foods you want. Read and subscribe at TriangleFoodBlog.com for full weekly reports with links.
54 | midtownmag.com
Scott Crawford’s new restaurant, Crawford & Son, should be open while we’re at the press in late October at 618 N. Person Street.
Buku’s Sean Degnan and Tony Hopkins will open their second restaurant, Soca, in Raleigh’s Cameron Village in the space formerly occupied by Faire. Where Buku tends to focus on updates of popular, approachable dishes from Asia, Soca will shift its eye to South and Central America, the menu bouncing between Colombia and Mexico, Trinidad and Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Chile. They plan to open in January.
The folks over at Rocky Top Hospitality (Dean’s, Twisted Fork, The Daily Planet Cafe, 1705 Prime, etc.) have launched a new venture, Southland BBQ Catering. Delivery to homes and businesses will be available seven days a week.
Parkside Restaurant in downtown Raleigh will begin offering brunch on Sundays from 11am until 3pm.
Royale, an American bistro with French and European influences, will open this fall in the former Battistella’s space at 200 E. Martin Street in the City Market area of downtown Raleigh. Royale is a joint effort of Will Jeffers (Stanbury, Cafe Lucarne), Jeff Seizer, joining as the executive chef, and Jesse Bardyn, baker extraordinaire.
Bare Bones, the latest concept out of Eschelon Experiences, has opened
on Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street in the former Zinda spot. Bare Bones is serving up ribs, burgers and beer.
The folks behind Crabtree’s Red Monkey Tavern and Brier Creek Beer Garden are bringing Crabtree Beer Garden to Crabtree Valley Mall. It will occupy the former Tomato Pie space. They also hint at the fact that they are looking to open similar concepts in North Raleigh and Cary.
Oak & Dagger Public House is now open at downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station.
Jon Seelbinder has opened the first phase of Little City Brewing and Provisions Co. in Raleigh’s Glenwood South neighborhood. The project is the latest offering from Seelbinder’s Local Icon Hospitality, which also owns Architect Bar, Green Light, Virgil’s Original Taqueria Taco Bar, Level Up and Linus & Pepper’s.
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giving back
Carroll’s Kitchen
Business partners Freeze and Ismail introduce innovative grab-and-go concept, Carroll’s Kitchen.
A Grab & Go Social Enterprise By Jenni Hart PHOTOGRAPHY By davies PHOTOGRAPHY
A ribbon-cutting ceremony in late September marked the official opening of Carroll’s Kitchen, downtown Raleigh’s first nonprofit restaurant dedicated to ending homelessness for local women. Early reviews indicate patrons are as impressed with the quality and variety of menu items as they are with the restaurant’s mission. After a recent visit, I joined the fan club. Over the Friday lunch break, the corner spot at South Wilmington and East Martin Street was humming. The three or four customers ahead of me in line provided enough buffer that I enjoyed a quick conversation with a friendly employee who sold me on the Chicken Caesar Wrap. I had heard good things about the scratch-made sweets, so I added a chocolate chip cookie, a flaky cinnamon toaster tart, and a crumble-andcream kolache to my order, topping it all off with a lemonade. All items at Carroll’s Kitchen are packaged to go, but weather permitting, customers can find outdoor seating with bistro 56 | midtownmag.com
tables in the plaza around back. A recent rain had left the seating area damp, so I headed home for a taste test. The wrap was fresh and flavorful, with crisp romaine and kalamata olives adding texture and zing. I’m what you might call a healthy eater, but even I had to save half of the generous portion for later. The cookie rated five stars from my daughter, while I hid the other treats to sample through the afternoon. They didn’t last long, and I’m already looking forward to a return visit. I really love the idea that a purchase I would gladly make anyway is also supporting a sustainable nonprofit. Teaming Up Carroll’s Kitchen co-founders Jim Freeze and Vicky Ismail met three years ago at Vintage Church on Person Street. When the church issued a challenge to its members to explore opportunities for service, Vicky presented a plan she’d been mulling over for some time. As a downtown church, Vintage
wanted to encourage members to meet the needs of the surrounding community, and Vicky envisioned opening a restaurant that could be leveraged to provide employment, training and additional services to women experiencing homelessness. “As soon as I heard Vicky’s presentation, I was on board,” Jim says. Vicky’s background as a successful restaurant owner and Jim’s experience in operations and outreach proved a solid foundation for developing what they call a social enterprise: a business that serves others in a sustainable way, investing proceeds in the continued success of the program. After spending about a year discussing the details, the pair organized a launch party in April, before a location had even been decided. Nearly 300 attendees, including a complement of Raleigh chefs, gathered at HQ Raleigh to learn more about Carroll’s Kitchen and ways they could contribute. A Kickstarter campaign soon followed, logging hundreds of individual donations to help fund the startup. Jim eventually left his job to focus on the restaurant. The pair looked to The King’s Kitchen in Charlotte for ideas and inspiration, and soon learned of similar businesses in cities across the country, including New York City, Washington, DC and Dallas. Everywhere they turned, they found encouragement and valuable advice for running the business. Local agencies are collaborating with Carroll’s Kitchen to assist employees with housing, insurance and training to support their transition from homelessness. The two women currently in the program were identified and recommended by a partner agency, and a case manager will work with each one to ensure they receive appropriate support. Vicky says the initial plan is to employ the participants for approximately one year, with the goal of seeing them gain full independence. “This is so much more than just a job,” she says. “These women really care for each other.” She says the end of each shift comes with a feeling of pride and accomplishment, especially on busy days. midtownmag.com | 57
You Can Help Jim and Vicky have been heartened by the warm reception they’ve received, and recent credit card receipts show about a quarter of their daily sales come from repeat customers. Eventually, they hope to increase breakfast business, catering orders and gift purchases. Here are other ways to contribute to the Carroll’s Kitchen mission: •
Become a sustainer. A monthly contribution, even a modest one, provides a steady flow of dependable funding to offset early startup costs.
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Give a meaningful gift. Gift cards are available in any denomination and make perfect stocking stuffers.
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Don’t go empty-handed. Carroll’s Kitchen will offer cookie trays and other holiday goodies for the perfect host/ hostess gift or office party contribution.
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Be an early bird. Stop in for custom breakfast sandwiches, or grab a sweet or savory kaloche for a budget-friendly $1.50, or four for $5. These are guaranteed to make you everyone’s favorite co-worker.
Carroll’s Kitchen, located at 19 East Martin Street, is open 7:30am-2:30pm. Monday through Friday. Ingredients are fresh, seasonal, and sourced locally when possible. Visit CarrollsKitchen.org for more information and to view the menu. 58 | midtownmag.com
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sundaysupper Check it out...
Capital Club 16 16 W Martin Street 919.747.9345 capitalclub16.com
Old World Roots
Classic, clean, hearty regional cuisine By paul savery photography By davies photography
Jake and Shannon Wolf opened Capital Club 16, a traditional American restaurant with European, particularly German, influences, in 2010. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of the historic Capital Club Building in downtown Raleigh. Built in the Art Deco style in 1929, the twelfth-floor ballroom contains the finest example of Art Deco plasterwork remaining in the Raleigh. The pair both grew up in Southern Pines and knew each other in high school, only to reconnect years later when both were working in New York City. Shannon worked in network television for 15 years, producing and writing shows for Oxygen and the Discovery channel, as well as publications such as The Knot. Jake credits her production background, along with her eye for décor and fashion, as key to their everyday operations and special events success. Once Jake finished his schooling at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York in 1995, he spent years working all over the US and Europe before landing in New York City. The travel exposed him to many different 60 | midtownmag.com
styles of cooking and he explains, “A map of where I have been ends up on the plate.” His time in a small town near Frankfurt, Germany was a formative period in his cooking. “I cooked in Germany in the mid -1990s, and that set me on this path of European and German influenced cuisine. The sous chef at the hotel in Germany where I worked would take me to his house on Sundays and his mom would cook a full supper with homemade dumplings, red cabbage and pork roast. I looked forward to that.” Jake and Shannon married in 2006 and continued to live and work in New York City until their son Johnny’s arrival was imminent. At that point, they moved back to North Carolina to be close to family and opened Capital Club 16. An enthusiast proprietor with a keen eye for detail, Jake meticulously plans his eclectic menu to include seasonal and locally grown ingredients. The Wolfs have assiduously created a dining room inspired by their building’s history and time period – art deco – with German touches that reflect the country’s cuisine he loves. For instance, the restaurant bar and back bar are made of reclaimed wood
from one of Manhattan’s landmarks – Luchow’s, a German restaurant open for 100 years from 1882-1982. The restaurant’s chairs are from one of NYC’s Horn & Hardart automats, which in turn were inspired by the AUTOMAT Restaurants in Berlin, Germany. While Shannon keeps on eye on esthetics, keeps the books and organizes special events for the restaurant, Jake is the chef, recalling his legacy from a family of cooks. “My Grandmother Bonnie on my dad’s side was where it all started for me. I can still taste her sausage gravy, sticky buns and the other homestyle recipes she cooked.” His formal training began early, “I put on the tall hat and white coat for the first time in high school at the Pinehurst Resort.” His advice for aspiring chefs is to “cook for yourself, family and friends. Learn your grandmother’s secrets (in the kitchen at least!).” Capital Club 16 cuisine is “pretty rustic, earthy and herby. Simple and honest, nothing too tricky; familiar but perhaps from a little different perspective”. Produce is sourced from local growers – Raleigh City Farm, Farmer’s Collective, Old Milburnie Farm and Laurel Branch Gardens. “When we refer to our menu at Capital Club 16 as American with European influences, that means we can cook whatever we want, keeping roots in classical cuisine.” The varied menu contains American regional dishes like Skillet Mac and Cheese, as well as hard-to-find elsewhere German dishes; Rouladen – German braised beef rolls, or Rahnschnitzel – escallope of pork with a creamy mushroom sauce. The Bavarian Brunch Platter contains slab bacon, sauerkraut and grilled sausage, sourced from Schaller and Weber, a sixth generation New York City Germantown butcher. A traditional apple strudel is served for dessert. The Wolfs host special themed dinner parties at the restaurant. One in the works will be inspired by an original 1957 menu from legendary NYC German ‘Luchow’s’, hanging near the bar during the restaurant’s annual “Wild Game Week”. The week starts with a wild game supper on Sunday, November 6th, when venison, boar, rabbit, pheasant and squab may be served. Jake claims he prefers traditional cookbooks for inspiration, and like all good chefs likes to tweak classic recipes, showing off a much-thumbed old German cookbook. One new favorite is The Blue Ribbon Cookbook, written by Bruce and Eric Bromberg, chefs who opened the first Blue Ribbon restaurant in 1992 in downtown Manhattan. The Wolfs have most Sunday nights off, when they cook at home. They like to prepare one-pot dishes and casseroles for friends or family to eat, often serving brunch, which is a strong family tradition. Jake says, “I like cooking for my father-in-law, as he always has a good appetite.” Six-year-old Johnny likes to cook with his parents, and his favorite dish is Matzo Ball soup: “He likes to make the balls and will actually eat it too. Who doesn’t like jumped-up chicken soup with a big dumpling ball?” Chef Wolf looks forward to cooking winter braises and stews at home and in the restaurant, and beef brisket is one of his favorite cuts. For his Sunday Supper recipe Wolf has selected ‘Tafelspitz’, which grandmother Bonnie used to cook. “This recipe is a traditional boiled brisket dinner from southern Germany where spices of juniper and cloves, potatoes and hearty root vegetables are all simmered together and served with freshly grated horseradish.” Check out the restaurant’s Instagram account for the latest news about special events. midtownmag.com | 61
Tafelspitz Eintopf (Boiled Beef Sunday Supper One Pot)
Ingredients 2-3 lbs beef brisket or chuck roast, in large pieces, cleaned but leaving some fat on 8 cloves peeled garlic carrots, peeled 2 1 celery root, peeled 1 kohlrabi or turnip, peeled parsnip, peeled 1 3-6 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges 12 juniper berries 12 whole cloves bay leaves 6 4 thyme sprigs rosemary sprigs 4 ½ cup cider vinegar salt and pepper, to taste water to cover beef base (optional) Texas Pete to taste (optional) string or twine 1 coffee filter fresh horseradish root, peeled crusty baguette slices (optional) 62 | midtownmag.com
This dish is one of my favorites. Very similar to pot roast, Tafelspitz is a flavorful German version of an “Eintopf” (meaning one pot or all cooked together). This dish is one you can put on the stove to slow cook, and it will fill your kitchen with wintry spice aromas associated with the colder months. The fresh horseradish is key!
Procedure In a medium soup pot or Dutch oven, add beef, water, cider vinegar, salt and pepper. Bring up to a boil and turn back to a simmer. In the coffee filter add the juniper berries, cloves and bay leaf. Tie up into a sachet. Add sachet to pot. Simmer beef for one hour. Add carrots, kohlrabi, turnip and celery root. Simmer for 10 minutes or so; add Yukon Gold potato wedges and simmer for 5-10 more minutes until all vegetables and potatoes are done (fork tender). Remove all vegetables and potatoes and
set in a casserole dish or platter to rest. Check doneness of meat. Add thyme and rosemary sprigs and check seasoning. Simmer until meat is fork tender or can pull apart. (Optional: Add a tablespoon of beef base and a couple shakes of Texas Pete to enhance flavor.) Pull meat from pot, slice or pull apart and arrange on platter with vegetables and potatoes. Serve in a higher rimmed plate or bowl for individual portions. Spoon broth over the meat and potatoes and with a fine grater or microplane shred fresh horseradish over it. Also serving with crusty bread is another good option.
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the interview
13 Questions With:
Scott Crawford
For five-star chef, community and hospitality set the tone for restaurant success. By Kurt Dusterberg photography By Jennifer Noble Kelly
Scott Crawford is a thinking-man’s chef. The dishes he creates are the result of careful thought and consideration, reflecting the passion he feels for food, his customers and his community. He spent more than a decade as a five-star executive chef, including a stint at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary. More recently, he helped launch Raleigh’s Standard Foods. His latest venture is his first as both owner and chef, the recently opened Crawford And Son, located at 618 North Person Street in Raleigh. His fans can count on refined, Southern cuisine with a variety of traditional and adventurous items on the menu. The “Son” in the restaurant name is a nod to Crawford’s family heritage, where kids learned the value of a day’s work. For now, he will count on his wife, Jessica, to help in the restaurant. One day, Jiles (9) and Jolie (6) will add a generation to the family business.
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My family, my work and my principles are tattooed all over me.
“
64 | midtownmag.com
Midtown Magazine: What is the appeal of opening Crawford and Son? Scott Crawford: One reason is to be able to truly connect with my community, and do it in a way that I can be in control of my brand and what I deliver to my community. The other reason is I have a real tradition of entrepreneurship in my family, going back to my grandfather, who had a sawmill, and my uncle, who had a machine shop. MM: What can your customers expect on the menu? SC: The theme is all about neighborhood, so we have lots of approachable dishes like pastas and stews. But we also have things that foodies might be looking for, like octopus. We have a venison meatloaf. We have a raw section, whether it be fish or vegetables or tartares. We have a great short-rib dish and a rabbit pot pie. Interesting things, but also things that certainly you would recognize.
MM: Do you have some childhood memories that influenced your interest in cooking? SC: I grew up in northwestern Pennsylvania, where fresh food was a big part of our lives. I saw a change in the 1980s when convenience foods came into play, and I was not happy about it at all, even as a child. I was influenced by my grandmother. On Saturdays, we would work in my grandfather’s sawmill, and we would have this elaborate lunch that my grandmother would make. It was simple food, but I remember as a child being enamored. Chicken and dumplings, or biscuits with homemade jam. Just a soup, with fresh homemade bread and tomato sandwiches. That warm bread that just came out of the oven. It was simple stuff, but it was magical. The flavors stuck with me. I knew what seasonal food was supposed to taste like. MM: When did you know you wanted to be a chef? SC: I was working in fish houses in Florida, sort of the tourist town areas. Once I got into the kitchen, I realized I had a natural ability that the people working around me in the kitchens didn’t have. I just enjoyed it so much that I left traditional college to cook. Then I went back and got a cooking degree later. I learned how to behave in the kitchen and how to advance. I really became a great line cook. That was something I enjoyed very much.
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MM: When starting a new restaurant, you have a blank slate. What kind of people do you look to hire for your staff? SC: Chemistry between people is something I have learned how to create. I’m looking for people who have a certain excitement about hospitality, whether it’s cooking, serving, mixing cocktails. I’m looking for people who understand how important each role is in creating hospitality, and they have a certain spark in them about that particular role. Those are the people who will advance. There’s a huge respect for those support roles from even the general managers and owners. MM: Does it ever seem funny to you that your work has fans and followers? SC: Sure. Not only do I get a kick out of it, but it’s very humbling. It adds to the responsibility I feel to create something. I think about it a lot, actually. I don’t just think, ‘We’re going to do this, and it’s going to be awesome.’ I think about, what would the people who supported me, what would they want? MM: Restaurant ownership, particularly as a chef, is pretty intense work. Have you found a way to keep some balance in your life? SC: I have a family, so I have to create some sort of balance, but I am definitely all-in. You want to create an environment that is sustainable for you and the people who work for you. So I have created a five-night, dinner-only situation where we are closed Sundays and Mondays, plus a week in January and a week in July. That’s just the beginning of what we can do to make sure we offer people balance. Frankly, I’m a better chef when I’m balanced. I’m more creative, I’m a better boss and things actually run smoother. MM: What is rewarding about preparing meals for people? SC: I love everything about the moment someone puts that spoon or fork in their mouth and smiles, and we’ve made someone happy. I also appreciate everything that leads up to that moment. I appreciate the mentoring and teaching of young people, because chefs are doing that every single day. Just the mechanics of cooking are extremely rewarding. There is something very therapeutic and calming and zen about braising something correctly or making pasta 66 | midtownmag.com
or baking something. MM: Today, a lot of people consider themselves “foodies”, a term that didn’t exist 15 years ago. Why do you think the love of food has become such widespread phenomenon? SC: It’s become more of a European mentality toward food. People now are more interested in having a connection to their food. Television has certainly broadcast that with the popularity of cooking shows. But it’s also having better restaurants, better markets and a better understanding of what good food is. I think it’s really easy to get on board with this as sort of a hobby. That term can mean a lot of different things to different people, but to me, it means somebody who really appreciates food, from fried chicken all the way to a fine-dining experience. MM: Would you rather prepare a perfect meal for yourself or have someone prepare it for you? SC: Oh, wow, that’s a tough question. I naturally gravitate toward wanting to cook for someone. That’s my craft. I love to cook a perfect meal for someone, but I also love just sitting across from my wife. This is a hobby of ours, to explore and experience other people’s food. So I guess that would be a very close second. MM: You’ve got quite a few tattoos. What’s the story there? SC: I started getting tattooed 20 years ago. I’ve always loved tattoo culture. When I became a family man and a chef, my tattoos became a documentation of my life. My family, my work and my principles are tattooed all over me. MM: What do you do for fun to get away from your working life? SC: My favorite thing is just to hang out with my family. We love to go hiking. It’s something we can all do together. On Sunday we will go hike a trail or walk around a lake together and we all enjoy doing it. I’ve always liked motorcycling. I call it two-wheel therapy. When I’m really stressed out, I get on my bike and get a little therapy.
Have a suggestion for next issue’s “The Interview”? Send it to us: info@midtownmag.com.
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what’s app? cardboard camera • Free
Homework? GotIt! the top picks for November and December
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Sit With Us is a social networking app designed to promote kindness and inclusion in schools. Kids can use the app’s features to coordinate lunches with their friends. They can also volunteer to be ambassadors for their schools and post open lunch events on campus where everyone will be included. No one needs to eat alone! Funny Feed • Free
Funny Feed lets you easily create memes and GIFs to share with your friends. Choose from our generous serving of memes in the meme gallery or upload from your photos to create your own custom meme and GIF! *Prices are subject to change.
68 | midtownmag.com
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Prospr helps you save money by suggesting a proportion of your spending you should set aside. Prospr lets you log your spending in different categories, such as leisure and clothing, and then works out an amount of money you should set aside based on how much you’ve spent – like your own personal sales tax that you pay to yourself! AnyList • Free
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wine review
A View From The Top
(of a fermentation tank) – Napa Valley Harvest 2016 By MICHAEL GALLO, CSW, Wine Manager, TOTAL WINE & MORE
Being in the wine business certainly has its perks. One such perk was working as a “harvest intern” for a week in beautiful Napa Valley, California. Last month, in September, I worked side by side with the owners, wine makers, cellar masters and other “interns” at Amici Cellars. Amici Cellars is located in Calistoga, California, in the northern part of Napa Valley. A little about Amici Cellars: In the 1990s, a group of friends with a passion for good wine and fun times together crushed a few tons of grapes in the Napa Valley for their personal cellars. The resulting wine was so well received that they started producing wine the very next year to share with the public. Amici Cellars focuses firmly on quality, not quantity. Since my stint as a harvest intern, I can tell you from firsthand experience that this statement is true. Grapes are picked by hand and sourced from ultrapremium vineyards in Napa Valley. The day as a harvest intern begins with tracking the temperature of juice already in fermentation tanks, checking the “brix” level (sugar levels) of the juice, and performing “pump overs” (also known as remontage), the process 70 | midtownmag.com
of pumping red wine up from the bottom of the tank and splashing it over the top of the fermenting, followed by “punch downs”. “Punching down” describes the process of breaking up the “cap” (a solid mass of grape skins and pits or seeds that float to the top of the fermenting vessel during fermentation) and pushing it back down into the wine so that the cap stays moist during fermentation. The main reason to punch down this mass of skins and seeds back into the liquid so the wine will have a richer color and flavor. And then there is the clean up…lots and lots and lots of cleaning. Each and every piece of winery equipment, the crusher, destemmer, barrels, sorting table, and anything and everything else you can imagine needs to be cleaned each and every time before and after its use. All this is the result of the most exciting time in being a harvest intern – when the grapes actually come in from the vineyard to be processed upon arrival. Long hours on the crushed pad are the norm around peak harvest times. The pace is fast, the work is hard, and the days are long…but it’s amazing to be in Napa Valley during harvest.
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While Santa is making his list and checking it twice, we’re busy with a holiday list of our own. Here’s a run-down of the season’s best of the best.
Holiday songs 1. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee
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This rockabilly beat captures the fun of the holiday season.
2. “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby
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The Christmas song master’s nostalgic ode to the magic of snow.
3. “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt Inspiration for how to drop (not so) subtle hints about the must-have items on your wishlist.
3 photo by joe reale
4. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Frank Sinatra Ol’ blue eyes paints the perfect red and green picture of the holidays.
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5. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey The high-note queen’s pop spectacle is major fun – and a major earworm.
Gifts For Those That Have Everything 1. Umstead Spa gift card
Perfect for post-holiday fatigue, and right in Raleigh’s backyard. Just be sure to pass along the restrictions on booking appointments for non-hotel guests.
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Hostess gifts
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2. Poole’s cookbook
Raleigh celebrity chef Ashley Christensen published her first cookbook, named after her downtown Raleigh mainstay restaurant. Master the foodie favorite’s famous macaroni and cheese, and this is the gift that keeps on giving.
4. CAM Raleigh membership
Support downtown Raleigh’s contemporary art museum to get membership access to special exhibitions. 5. Charity donation 3. A brick in the NC State Brickyard
Wolfpack fan on the list? Immortalize their fandom on one of the campus’ trademark red bricks.
Funnel funds in their name into deserving local organizations like Raleigh Rescue Mission, Raleigh Food Corridor, or the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
photo by joe
s
1. Trophy Bewing Co. Grab a growler to give out-oftown guests a taste of some delicious, local beer.
2. Lucettegrace Pick up irresistible macarons in a variety of flavors.
3. Boulted Bread Bring your host delicious bread perfect for sopping up the next-morning holiday hangover.
photo by joe reale
4. Edge of Urge This Person Street Plaza shop has coasters and LOL-worthy cards for the hip host.
5. Form & Function This furniture store just moved into its Five Points digs, and has lots of small items to add to your host’s home decor. midtownmag.com | 75
photo by joe reale
Holiday Fashion Picks photo by joe reale
1. Monkee’s of Raleigh
After a recent redesign and expansion, this North Hills store has a mix of popular designers like Tory Burch and Loeffler Randall.
2. Vermillion
3. Art of Style
4. Lumina Clothing
5. Goodwill
Treat yourself to clothes and accessories from Balenciaga, Rag & Bone and Lela Rose at this uberfashionable boutique.
If sleek and edgy defines your holiday wardrobe, visit this store’s new downtown outpost.
Lumina’s mix of clothes and accessories make holiday dressing easy on the guys.
Find the perfect tacky holiday sweater while giving back.
1. Holiday Express at Pullen Park Located between Hillsborough Street and Western Boulevard, Pullen Park transforms into a holiday wonderland.
places to see lights photo coutesy of Koka Booth Amphitheatre
2. State Capitol Tree Lighting Festival Festivities begin with the lighting of luminaries and musical performances on the State Capitol grounds, before the State Capitol opens for tours. 3. Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour Go back in time via this annual look into private homes decorated for the season right in the heart of downtown Raleigh. 4. Wendell Wonderland’s Lake Myra Christmas Light Show One of the state’s largest holiday light shows, featuring thousands of twinkling lights moving in sync with Christmas carols and sing-along holiday favorites. 76 | midtownmag.com
5. North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival This Koka Booth experience is great for adults and children alike.
Holiday
movies 1. Home Alone Simply the best. (All together now: “AHHHHH!”)
2. Home Alone 2
Right on the heels of the original, Kevin’s romp through New York City captures the magic of the season.
3. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Chevy Chase helps make the stress of the season a little more manageable.
4. A Christmas Story For everyone who ever wanted a Red Ryder BB gun.
5. Elf
“Not now, Arctic Puffin!” Will Ferrell’s one-liners make this a modern Christmas comedy classic.
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photo by joe reale
1. Stitch
Designer Holly Aiken creates must-have bags and accessories.
2. DECO Home
DECO Raleigh’s new foray into home goods has pillows, furniture and more.
3. Progeny
For the stylish babies and toddlers on your list, pick up clothes and toys at this Five Points retailer.
4. Moon & Lola
LOCAL
Featured in Oprah’s Favorite Things, this local jewelry shop has gifts for all ages.
5. Runologie
The city’s only independent running shop is a great place to pick up gear for impending New Year’s fitness resolutions.
Holiday traditions
1. Raleigh Ringers Holiday Concert The community handbell choir has been dazzling concert audiences in Raleigh with unique interpretations of sacred, secular and popular music since 1990. 2. Carolina Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ A can’t-miss interpretation of the ballet classic, with shows in Raleigh and Durham. 3. Ira David Wood III’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ Performed annually since 1974 and named one of the “Top 20 Events in the Southeast.” 4. Annual WRAL Christmas Parade The unofficial kick-off to the holiday season (not counting the holiday decorations out at Target before Halloween). 5. Raleigh Winterfest This two-month holiday event features an outdoor skating rink in downtown Raleigh.
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Places for tree decorating
inspiration 1. Furbish
Owner Jamie Meares turns the holidays on its head, working traditional Southern motifs into one-of-a-kind tree skirts, stockings, ornaments and more. Visit the downtown Raleigh retail space for all the eye candy.
2. Angus Barn
This Raleigh original goes all out for the holidays, turning its barn-like space into a country Christmas feast for the eyes.
3. NC State Fair Christmas tree ornament competition Blue ribbon tips and tricks.
4. NC Museum of Art
The Museum Store’s ornament tree helps turn a tree into a work of art.
5. Logan’s Garden Shop
The Seaboard Station outpost has tons of live greenery inspiration.
We are dedicated to providing excellent orthodontic treatment with a warm and caring touch. Our highly trained staff provide each individual with personalized, professional attention in a friendly atmosphere.
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Appetizers
to please the crowd Places to find a real tree 1. Tommy Burleson and Sons Christmas Trees NC State basketball legend Tommy Burleson is known for his towering height, which helped the Wolfpack nab its 1974 NCAA National Championship title. These days, Burleson sells Christmas trees even taller than his own seven feet, at a lot in Cary. The Avery County native brings the trees in from Western North Carolina each season. 2. Back Achers farm This Raleigh farm has sold fresh-cut trees since 1978. 3. State Farmers Market Grab a tree, plus wreaths, garland, poinsettias and more, straight from North Carolina farmers. 4. Boyce Farms Farm Located in northern Wake County, this family-run farm offers the experience of cutting your own tree. Bring your own saw, or let them cut it for you, net it for easy transportation home, and load and tie it on your vehicle at no charge. 5. Holidays by TROSA Cross your holiday decorations off your list at the Lowe’s Foods of Brier Creek while helping TROSA, a worthy local charity. 80 | midtownmag.com
1. Mushroom pâte in mini phyllo shells These little bite-sized morsels practically make themselves and, sadly, there will be absolutely none left at the end of your party. 2. Green olive & pimento cheese Use pre-grated sharp cheddar cheese, a handful of chopped green olives stuffed with pimentos and enough mayo to hang things together. Add a dash of Texas Pete and serve with water crackers. 3. Spiced pecans or walnuts Buy them at Whole Foods, or make your own at home using the recipe on their website. 4. Steamed dumplings with sauce Buy a bag at Trader Joe’s in the freezer department and make a dip with 1/3 cup mayo and a large squeeze of sriracha sauce.
5. Roasted Brussels Sprouts Halve a pound of brussels sprouts and spread on a cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil (a spicy olive oil will kick up the flavor a little), add salt and pepper, and place in a 400-degree oven for 10-15 minutes. Stir once while roasting. Serve with toothpicks at room temperature. A tasty, healthy snack!
Christmas Cookies 1. Swedish wedding Cookies Swedish Grandma Jensen used to make these for any special occasion. They are also called butterballs and a million other names. Everyone LOVES them.
2. Thumbprints These are basically little butter cookies, rolled in nuts and then dented in the center (with your thumb!) to hold a smidgen of raspberry jam.
3. Peanut Kisses Another cookie with a bonus on top. Peanut butter cookies, rolled in sugar then crested with a Hershey’s Kiss. (Be sure to take the foil off before baking!)
4. Gingerbread Boys and Girls This is the classic cookie to let the children help with. Have fun decorating them, then put them in an eggwash with sprinkles on top. Tip: they taste MUCH better with lots of sugar icing than plain.
5. Benne Originally from Africa and the Middle East, these are now considered a classic cookie from Charleston. These rich brown cookies, sweet and nutty with sesame seeds, have a unique texture: solid and crisp on the bottom, crunchy-light on top. They go down nicely with a cup of tea.
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Places to See Santa 1. Crabtree Valley Mall
Perfect for killing two birds with one stone! Get your holiday shopping done at the stores and then take the kids for a visit to Kris Kringle in the mall’s Promotional Court. 2. Lights on the Neuse
Head over to the Boyette Family Farm in Clayton to climb aboard Santa’s famous sleigh and talk with Mr. Claus himself. 3. Black Santa
For those desiring a more inclusive Santa Claus, Black Santa will be making appearances in Cary and Durham this holiday season. To find out more about where to spot him, visit www.blacksantaraleigh.com. 4. North Hills
Saint Nick will be stopping by the Shepherd’s Way Christmas Tree Lot behind JCPenney this December. Catch him while you can to snag a photo and fulfill those important holiday gift requests. 5. Triangle Town Center
Ever stop to think that our furry friends may want to meet Santa too? Bring your pets to Center Court every Tuesday night in November for what’s guaranteed to be an adorable photo with The Old Man in Red. 82 | midtownmag.com
Things to do with the
out-of-towners 1. ACC Basketball Game It may not be March yet, but college basketball season is already heating up in the Triangle. Give your guests a true Tobacco Road experience at one of the area’s many hallowed arenas. 2. Marbles Kids Museum Take your younger set of guests to this downtown Raleigh museum and let the kids play in the exhibits or catch an IMAX film. 3. The Governor’s Mansion Also known as the “people’s house”, this historic mansion is steeped in fascinating local history and is sure to delight your guests with its Holiday Open House, open from December 8th-11th. 4. Second Empire If your out-of-towners are used to fine dining, they’ll feel right at home in this world-class, award-winning restaurant in downtown Raleigh. 5. Brewery Crawl Why not show off Raleigh’s bustling beer scene with a tour of the city’s most delicious brews? Trophy, Big Boss, and Nickelpoint Brewing are a great place to start. Have fun and stay safe!
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VolunteerRaleigh: Heart
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of
the
City
(left) Jeanette Golden, Community Specialist for the Community Services Division of Volunteer Raleigh, connects volunteer sites with active volunteers for service. (below) Ms. Carolyn Blaylock (Grandma B.) was chosen as the 2016 Unsung Hero of the year for her work in the Foster Grandparents program.
by carol wills p h o t o g r a p h y b y d av i e s p h o t o g r a p h y
Jeanette Golden was an AmeriCorps volunteer in college, and enjoyed it so much that after graduation, she applied to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for the City of Raleigh. That was five years ago, and Golden is now a community specialist for the Community Engagement Division of the Housing and Neighborhoods Department. “I’m passionate about service,” says Golden. “I enjoy that I get to share in the spirit of volunteerism through my work with the Senior Corps Programs.” These programs include the Foster Grandparents, RSVP (formerly the Retired Senior Volunteer Program) and Senior Companions, an organization made up of seniors helping seniors – seeing that people get to medical appointments, checking in with them to make sure they’re all right, and providing pleasant companionship. Perhaps the most important part of Golden’s job as a VISTA volunteer was to implement a volunteer program to connect Raleigh citizens with partnering community agencies. The program that she started, Volunteer Raleigh, is the go-to place for people who are interested in building a resume, giving back to the community, or who are looking for a useful and meaningful way to spend time in retirement. Golden’s program is the hub that helps people find opportunities appropriate to their skills and interests. Three volunteer programs that come under the city’s umbrella are Foster Grandparents, the Police Department and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources. midtownmag.com | 85
Grandma B. works with 5- and 6-yearolds in Ms. Sonya Mitchiner’s classroom at Bugg Elementary School.
Foster Grandparents Golden speaks with deep appreciation for the many hours that senior volunteers have donated to the Foster Grandparents program. “We have about 78 active grandparents who serve 30 schools,” she notes. “We partner not only with the Wake County Public School System, but also with several Early Education Centers and charter schools.” Foster Grandparents provides children with one-on-one help with classwork and homework, as well as giving them emotional and social support. Foster Grandparents commit to spending about four hours a day, five days a week with the children they are assigned to help. The Foster Grandparents program is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service and is sponsored by the City of Raleigh. The city has been supporting this program for more than 35 years. Ms. Carolyn Blaylock (known as Grandma B.) is one of the most outstanding volunteers in this program. She has been volunteering at Bugg Elementary School for four years. “The most important reason I volunteer is that I love being with the children,” she says. She’s speaking of five- and six-year-olds in Ms. Sonya Mitchiner’s classroom. Grandma B. comes to the school for six hours every day and works with two children at a time. She loves sitting down with the kids and working with them to learn reading, writing and spelling. Sometimes she sings to them. “They need love,” says Grandma B. “And in turn, they keep me energized.” “She comes every day, ready to teach my children,” says Mitchiner. “She constantly goes above and beyond the call of duty to make sure the children are successful. Since I don’t have a teaching assistant, there are a lot of things I just couldn’t do if it weren’t for Grandma B.,” Mitchiner says Grandma B. is also a great mentor to other foster grandparents. Positive by nature, she encourages the students to approach her without hesitation. 86 | midtownmag.com
Bruce Embry is the volunteer coordinator for the Raleigh Police Department and the Capitol Area Greenway Volunteers.
Grandma B. was recognized at the 42nd Annual Senior Corps Awards Banquet as the 2016 Unsung Hero of the year. She was chosen for the energy and personality she brings to her work. When she was forced to be absent while recovering from knee surgery last year, she called into her classroom every Tuesday and Thursday to stay in touch with her students and keep them motivated to stay on track. Raleigh Police Department The Raleigh Police Department also uses volunteers, and Bruce Embry, who retired as a Lieutenant in the Raleigh Police Department in 2005, has been the volunteer coordinator for this program since 2009. Embry oversees one set of volunteers who do patrols, using volunteer cars equipped with radios, computer terminals and yellow lights. They radio for help for stalled vehicles, assist at accident scenes, move traffic cones and flares, and carry jump boxes to help motorists with dead batteries. There are about 12 such volunteers currently, and they can see every call that comes in from anywhere in the city on their car computers. They wear distinctive uniforms and are not required to do anything dangerous, or anything that requires a police officer. They are off the streets by 11pm at night. Their
assistance frees regular police officers to concentrate on the situations that require their training and authority. Some Police Department volunteers assist with office work, act as interpreters, work with the service center outfitting police cars, or help in the Youth and Family Services Department – or wherever clerical skills are needed. Embry goes to meetings to publicize the need for volunteers, and also follows up on referrals from other volunteers or people who contact him through the internet. He processes the applications, conducting background checks and determining whether the prospective
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volunteer is a “people person.” All prospective volunteers must be fully vetted before they are accepted into the volunteer program. All must commit to serving at least 15 hours per month. Embry says, “We’ve got a great group of people and I’m very proud to be associated with them.” Embry singles out for special recognition a volunteer named Ann Sides, who currently works as a volunteer in the Family Violence Intervention Unit on Oberlin Road. Sides, whose previous career involved 28 years of working as a Foreign Service Officer for the US State department and as a consular officer in nine different countries, has donated 1,300 hours of volunteer work since 2011. A New Englander by birth, Sides and her husband chose to retire to North Carolina, attracted by the cultural and educational opportunities offered in the Triangle area. “Once we got settled,” she remembers, “I wanted to volunteer somehow. I missed the pleasure of helping people as in my previous job. I missed the human contact.” She applied to the City of Raleigh for a position in the Police volunteer program. She was assigned to the Family Violence Intervention Unit, which is in the Interact Building in Raleigh. “It’s a place where people can come for legal, social and law enforcement services – all under one roof,” she says. In her present position, Sides is able to assist police officers with phone calls and routine reports. In addition, she has participated in role-playing used to train prospective police officers at the Police Academy in dealing with domestic disturbances. She also helps with various ceremonies, events such as concerts at the Red Hat Arena, and the Christmas, New Year’s Day and 4th of July parades in downtown Raleigh. “The people I work with are wonderfully hard-working and compassionate,” she says. Having worked in this division for five years, it’s safe to say Sides deserves the same compliment herself. Capitol Area Greenway Volunteers Embry also supervises the Capitol Area Greenway Volunteers. There are currently 79 volunteers who patrol the 127 miles of greenway in Raleigh. They sign up for at least eight hours per month. Volunteers wear a distinctive orange shirt with the city logo on it or a chartreuse reflective vest. Their purpose is to make the greenways safer for the many people who enjoy walking or riding bikes. Speaking of the greenway volunteers, Embry says, reassuringly, “We don’t chase people, don’t put hands on people. We give directions, hand out maps, and call in reports of problems such as downed tree limbs blocking the trails. In the case of emergencies, we call 911 and report our location, using the mile markers on the greenway to help the officers find us.” Another volunteer program that draws people’s attention and enthusiasm is the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Volunteer Program. Ashley Deans is the Resource Development Manager for this program, which offers opportunities for individuals, corporate volunteers, church groups, scouts, community organizations and school groups to contribute time, 88 | midtownmag.com
Ann Sides, who volunteers in the Family Violence Intervention Unit, has donated 1300 hours of work since 2011.
Ashley Deans is the Resource Development Manager for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Volunteer Program.
talents and resources. Volunteers in this program assist with park plantings, trail maintenance, special events, youth athletics, recreation classes, ESL classes and the Adopt-a-Park program. Over the past year, the program had 13,117 individuals volunteer 122,817 hours of service, the value of which is calculated to be $2.83 million. “I have the best job in the city,” says Deans. “I interact with volunteers every day and see the impact they make.” Other volunteer programs within the city of Raleigh include the Stormwater Management Volunteer Program, Recycling Block Leaders and the opportunity to serve on City Boards, Commissions and Committees. There are also five chaplains on call to serve officers in crisis or families in emergency situations. If you feel inspired to volunteer your services to the City of Raleigh, contact Jeanette Golden (Jeanette. golden@raleighnc.gov) and let her help you find exactly the right volunteer position to make the best use of your talents. midtownmag.com | 89
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Monk’s Breakfast, C. Grace Cocktail Bar
CAPITAL
CITY
COCKTAILS Raleigh’s bartenders have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to local ingredients, including distilled spirits from the growing ranks of North Carolina distilleries. We asked four creative hosts for their take on holiday cocktails that incorporate local spirits, and some suggestions for serving these festive drinks at home.
By julie johnson p h oto g r ap h y by d a v i e s p h oto g r ap h y midtownmag.com | 91
Holiday hospitality places a lot of demands on the host. This is true in your own home, and even more so when the host is a professional. This time of year, guests at bars and restaurants arrive with heightened expectations, looking for a festive touch that is both true to the season, but also as new and as surprising as a present on Christmas morning. As they contemplate their winter cocktail menus, restaurant owners, bartenders and managers have to adjust to the changing seasonal preferences, while they also anticipate the larger number of guests and parties at this time of year. Not surprisingly, customers’ tastes switch to drinks with more intense character when the temperature drops. “In the holiday season, everyone’s palate turns to flavors that are a little more rich. More whiskies and cognacs make a comeback,” says Matthew Bettinger, general manager at C. Grace Cocktail Bar in Raleigh (407 Glenwood Avenue). “We also try to incorporate warm cocktails, toddies, things like that.” Garrett Waddell, bartender at Stanbury (38 N. Blount St), agrees. “For most folks, it’s a balance of a handful of flavors: whiskey and all the stuff that goes along with that, the dark spirits, brandies, baking spices, and winter citrus, like grapefruit and spiced orange.”
A Suh Wi Dweet Egg Nog (batch) Marshall Davis, Gallo Pelón Mexcaleria “The rum is aged in a barrel that previously held Zucca, an Italian rhubarbflavored amaro, so it will pick up some of those dark notes. The barrel-aging is really the secret to the recipe, so people’s home batches will taste a little bit different from what we serve here, but it should still be good.” Ingredients 10 large eggs, separated 1 c superfine sugar 3 c heavy cream 1 c cognac 1 c barrel-aged Fair Game Rhum Agricole (ours is aged 3 weeks in a Zucca Rabarbaro barrel) 12 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp nutmeg ½ tsp cayenne 1 tsp cinnamon
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Directions Separate egg yolks from whites in two bowls. Beat the yolks until stiff, and beat the whites with half the sugar until peaks form (This is important!). Carefully fold the two together. In another bowl, beat the cream with the vanilla and remaining sugar until stiff. Fold both mixtures together, then add the booze and spices, and stir gently. Refrigerate and serve the next day with a little grated nutmeg.
Marshall Davis, Gallo Pelón Mexcaleria
He also notes the challenge of keeping the cocktail recipes consistent with Stanbury’s philosophy. “The restaurant is farm-to-table, so the emphasis is on seasonal ingredients, which means a very culinary-driven bar,” he says. “Naturally, when the ingredients start to run short in the winter months, we’re kind of limited in what we do – so it’s an interesting test, to build a changing but still thoughtful cocktail list in the wintertime.” At Raleigh’s Gallo Pelón Mescaleria (106 S. Wilmington St), general manager Marshall Davis also monitors seasonal produce. “We always look at what’s available at the farmers market,” he says. “I’ll go shopping when it’s time for our menu to change, see what’s out there, ask the farmers about availability. Because of the volume of cocktails we go through, I’ve got to make sure that stuff ’s not going to be here this week and gone the next.” Bartenders also keep an eye on what’s trending with their customers. “It seems that North Carolina doesn’t follow the
The Merry Mule Ken Wyman, Angus Barn “For me, growing up with a Latin family has always meant that any gathering is a big celebration, especially around Christmas when the whole extended family comes together. Up until a few years ago, Christmas was a time for Cuba Libres and rum-spiked eggnog. That tradition stuck until one night my grandma revealed to us that, as a girl in Puerto Rico, the biggest celebrations were always toasted with imported bourbon and vodka, not rum, because they wanted to mark the occasion with something more special than the everyday cocktail. When she became ill and family time became more precious we chose bourbon to celebrate our time together, and this drink was born soon after. In sharing this cocktail, I hope that it warms you the same way it has always warmed me.” Ingredients 1.25 oz Troy & Sons Oak Reserve Whiskey, Asheville Distilling Co. fresh honey 1 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice 1 oz 1 oz hot water ginger beer (such as Crabbe’s) DIRECTIONS Mix the honey and hot water until a syrup forms. Combine syrup with lemon juice and whiskey, pour over ice in a copper mug and top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lemon twist and a sprig of mint.
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Ken Wyman, Angus Barn
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same patterns that happen nationally,” says Wyman. “We’re in this weird area with so many local distilleries popping up, and people are getting very excited about that. A lot of bars in the area are using local spirits and coming up with some pretty crazy stuff. We’ve got something unique going on.” Stanbury’s Waddell is more ambivalent about the new distilleries. “North Carolina spirits are kind of difficult, because there’s a handful that are good, but we’re still getting our feet under us, in terms of the quality and vision,” he says. “I’m really pleased with all the stuff coming out of Fair Game out in Pittsboro. Those guys are doing all small-batch, alembic pot-still products, very old school and true to form. They’re making some exquisite, refined stuff.” At C. Grace, Bettinger doesn’t stray too far from cocktails that match the Prohibition-era setting, with its dark lighting, live local jazz and a speakeasy ambiance. “Our specialty is the American classics. We’re not 96 | midtownmag.com
Monk’s Breakfast Matthew Bettinger, C. Grace Cocktail Bar “We do a lot of savory drinks. The classic savory drink is the Bloody Mary, but this is a riff on a classic morning cocktail called the Gordon’s Breakfast, where we’ve got some Worcestershire sauce, some Tabasco, some cucumber, and we’re tying a little Chartreuse in our variation.” Ingredients 1.5 oz Durham Distillery Navy Strength Gin lime juice ¾ oz simple syrup ½ oz ¼ oz green Chartreuse spice mix 1 tsp 1 pinch salt cucumber slice 1
trying to reinvent the wheel,” he says. “We believe in balance, fresh juices, and overall consistency across all the bartenders. We think the standard three- to four-note cocktails really pair nicely. If we can execute those consistently and do so for as many people as possible, as often as possible, that’s our strong suit.” This holiday season, Gallo Pelón will see the return of what Davis calls
DIRECTIONS Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake. Strain into rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a slice of cucumber and cracked pepper. Spice Mix Worcestershire sauce 2 oz Tabasco sauce ½ oz
“our infamous eggnog” called A Suh Wi Dweet. “The name was kind of a joke,” he says. “A lot of our cocktails have Spanish titles. With this one in particular, the name is the phonetic spelling of Jamaican slang for ‘That’s how we do it.’ It was hard for people to pronounce, but once they learned how, they seemed to really like saying it.” And although Gallo Pelón is Raleigh’s only mescal bar, the drink
Ti-Punch Garrett Waddell, Stanbury “My holiday drink is a modified ti-punch, which is the classic way of drinking agricole rhum; it’s basically an Old Fashioned. Generally, it is a teaspoon of rich simple syrup* and a small swath of lime, so there is oil expressed as well as a bit of juice. I’ve made my own syrup that has autumnal (however still tiki) flavors (pineapple, lime, ginger, cardamom).” Ingredients 1 tsp house tiki syrup Fair Game Rhum Agricole 2 oz lime swath 1 DIRECTIONS Build in the glass; add syrup then Fair Game Rhum Agricole. Add one large block of ice (for optimal dilution); stir to desired temp and dilution. Express lime swath over glass and serve as garnish. *A “rich simple syrup” is generally understood to be sugar dissolved in water over heat, with a ratio of 2:1 sugar to water. Remove from heat, add pineapple, lime, ginger and cardamom, and steep; strain and chill.
uses rum, as befits its Jamaican name. Davis is a fan of using barrelaging to add layers of flavor to cocktail ingredients. “Basically, it’s almost impossible to completely clean a barrel. I like to celebrate that fact, and schedule our barrel aging so that the previous batch kind of speaks to the new batch. For the eggnog, I’ll barrel-age Zucca, which is a rhubarb-based Italian amaro, then I’ll take that out and save it to use in cocktails. Then I’ve got this fresh barrel soaked in Zucca, and I’ll put in the rum for three weeks of aging.” A Suh Wi Dweet has already made the transition to private settings. “A lot of our regulars started asking if I would make big batches for their holiday celebrations. I told them that legally I couldn’t sell them the finished batch, but I could make the base, and they could add the liquor themselves,” says Davis. For holiday parties at home, Bettinger says, “When it comes to cocktails, I find it best to stick to one or
two, have them prepared beforehand, and execute them really well. When you’re entertaining, the last thing you want to do is to have a lot of tools and a lot of confusion. With cocktails, you can usually put them together a few hours before or even the day before, and just add your spirit at the last second. That means you have a consistent beverage and you’re not stuck mixing drinks all night.” Cocktails, he says, have historical ties to that holiday standard, the punch. “Cocktails originated with large format drinks – punches – that we still use today, but we tend to use them a little bit differently.” Wyman, who got his bartending start mixing drinks in his grandparents’ basement for family gatherings, has one additional suggestion. “Don’t be afraid to experiment. When you’re making drinks for you’re friends and family, you have your kindest audience. Feel free to get bold.” midtownmag.com | 97
ine’s
agaz M N W TO
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y a d i l o H e d i u G Gift
01. Heather Moore Jewelry, Prices vary
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Fink’s Jewelers
Using recycled precious metals and vintage tooling to create the finest personalized collection, each piece is handcrafted. As you experience life and grow, so can your personal collection of hand-stamped charms.
02. Bumble and Bumble Glam Gifts, $29-$40 Salon Eden
A trio of hair essentials – for a soiree-worthy style that creates chic looks. Whether you are looking to create volume or sophistication, these products will surely become a favorite.
03. Suzy T Designs Bracelet, $250 Jbat Boutique
Black textured Italian leather cuff with galaxy druzy, freshwater pearls and gemstones.
04. Gift Baskets, $30 and up Tin Roof Teas
Custom gift baskets for any tea or honey lover! Choose from a selection of accessories, teas and local honeys.
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05. Coravin Wine Capsule System, $199 and up
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Total Wine & More
Use patented Wine Access Technology to access your wine without pulling the cork, which remains intact and continues to preserve the wine. Two capsules; model shown is $299.99.
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06. A Christmas Carol, Prices Vary Theatre in the Park
Give the gift of holiday magic with tickets to see A Christmas Carol at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium from December 7th-11th or in Durham, DPAC from December 15th-18th. For more information visit theatreinthepark.com.
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07. Photo Accessories, $20 and up Peace Camera
Camera bags, travel accessories and lots of other goodies for your mobile lifestyle!
08. EltaMD® UV Clear BroadSpectrum SPF 46, $32
Bain Dermatology, Skin Cancer Surgery & Cosmetic Specialist
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Calm and protect sensitive skin that is prone to breakouts, rosacea and discoloration. This product is paraben-free, and contains ingredients that promote skin health.
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09. The Nutcracker, $15, $25 & $30 City Ballet
Share the magic of the holidays with tickets to City Ballet’s The Nutcracker and watch as classically trained children dance alongside Carolina Ballet guest artists on December 9th and 10th at NC State’s Stewart Theatre. For more info visit city-ballet.com.
10. Diamond Hoop Earrings, $1,779 Raleigh Diamond
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Perfect to wear to work on Monday or out on Saturday night. With one whole carat worth of round brilliant diamonds set “inside and out”, these American-made earrings sparkle from every angle. This 14k white gold pair is built to be worn with confidence, as they have extra sturdy locking backs.
11. Mason Pearson Junior Bristle & Nylon Brush, $140 PLUM Hair Atelier
Ideal for long or short, thick hair. Made of the highest quality materials this brush will not cause split ends or irritation to the scalp, and will spread sebum evenly over the hair strands for beautiful, healthy hair. midtownmag.com | 99
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12. Gluten Free Chocolate Brioche Twist, $4/each Fresh Levant Bistro
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We have many other decadent baked goodies available for gifts and holiday parties. Everything is baked from scratch. 100% organic, gluten and GMO free!
13. Handblown Mugs, $18 Another Broken Egg Cafe
The perfect gift for your coffee lover or loyal egg lover!
14. Glass Votives and Lanterns, $14.99-$59.99. Homewood Nursery
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Light up the holidays with beautiful lighted decorative glass votives and lanterns from Stony Creek. Fitted with miniature lights, they add charming winter glow to your decor. Multiple sizes and styles available.
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15. Cashmere Cape, $1,795 and up Jbat Boutique
SofiaCashmere oversized lightweight cape with fur trim. Available in other colors and prints.
16. Sueded Crocodile Belt, $350 Liles Clothing Studio
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Sueded crocodile in a little wider width is an excellent alternative to the traditional glazed alligator belt. Pair this one from W. Kleinberg with a pair of Raleigh denims and a Boglioli sport jacket.
17. Stressless Peace Recliner, $2,995 in leather Ambiente Modern Furniture
The uniquely shaped back ensures the recliner adapts to your spine, and provides just the right amount of support.
17 18. Physios’ Firming and Restructuring Solution, $69.99 Physios Aesthetics
Gives injectable-like results without the injectable. Our exclusive formula is the simplest way to help make you look your best this holiday season. www.physiosaesthetics.com.
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19. Sputnik Lighting Fixture, $1,400 and up
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Kellie Landen Interior Design
Unique aged brass, sputnik lighting fixture, including hand-selected rock crystals. Statement piece for your foyer or dining room. Available in different sizes.
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20. Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Electric Toothbrush, $199 Gladwell Orthodontics
Whiter teeth in just one week, improved gum health in two weeks, and seven times better plaque removal than a manual toothbrush. DiamondClean will also gently remove stain buildup from coffee, tea, red wine, cigarettes and tobacco.
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21. Festive Murano Stretch Glass Bowl, $185 Hunt & Gather Seaboard Station
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Measures 10.5” x 3”.
22. Juvederm
Blue Water Spa Juvederm is an FDA-approved injectable filler that can be used to smooth out wrinkles or plump up lips. At Blue Water Spa, our expert nurse injectors conservatively administer Juvederm for beautiful, natural-looking results.
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23. Microfirm by Neocutis, $135 Regenesis MD
A targeted cream containing a concentrated blend of ingredients formulated to combat visible signs of aging on delicate skin of the neck and décolleté. This intensive complex is pack with antioxidants, moisturizers and exfoliating properties to encourage cell turnover for a softer and more luminous appearance.
24. Custom Made Gift Baskets, $25 and up Midtown Olive Oil
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Pre-made or personalized, Midtown Olive Oil has the gifts you’re looking for. Our oils and balsamic vinegars make wonderful gifts for this holiday season. Choose between our customizable baskets or paired sampler packs.
25. GrabbaDetox, $50/day Grabbagreen
The gift of health for you or someone else! Six juices and two elixirs a day make up this nutrient-dense cleanse that floods your system with the vitamins of over 20 pounds of fruits and vegetables, to healthily reboot your body. Choose from a 1, 2 or 3-day detox. midtownmag.com | 101
26. John Wind Bracelets, $25-$90 Affordable Chic Shops
Jewelry gifts that are one-of-a-kind, just like you.
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26 27. Laser Skin Tightening, Blue Water Spa
The state-of-the art FDA-approved lasers used at Blue Water Spa can provide dramatic improvements in the texture and elasticity of the skin. This treatment can make the skin softer and smoother, reduce wrinkles, improve pore size and texture, and eliminate acne scars.
28. Vegan Leather Vest, $180 Scout and Molly’s
With a faux fur collar and lining. Features a drapey closure, with zip trim zip pockets.
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29. Viviscal Professional, $25 and up Skin Raleigh
Discover the clinically proven, drug-free answer to thicker and fuller hair at Skin Raleigh. Viviscal Professional is a 100% natural food supplement line, shampoo and conditioner that is specifically designed to nourish thinning hair while also creating a healthy environment for existing hair and hair follicles.
30. Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo, $44 Mark Christopher Salon
Extend your blowout and prevent damage with our transformative dry shampoo. Absorbs product buildup, oil and impurities with translucent powders while soothing scalp and restoring strength and softness. Fragranceretention technology means our signature scent stays with you all day.
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31. Club Spa Massage and Facial Memberships, $55-$125 Skin Sense, a day spa
Visit Skin Sense, a day spa every month of the year! Our Club Spa Membership is designed to allow our clients to achieve maximum wellness benefits at the greatest value. Members will have access to members-only pricing and unlimited access to our outstanding amenities such as saunas, steam rooms, shower facilities and relaxation lounges.
32. Pureology Gift Set, $58 Salon Blu
Give the gift of party perfect hair! Your favorite systems each come with three free travel sizes. NEW rinse-out mask for fine hair 1.8oz., multitasking leave-in spray 1oz., & style finisher 2 oz. 102 | midtownmag.com
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33. Chef Prepared Meals, $32/serves 4
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Donovan’s Dish
Our NEW Dish to Door service delivers fresh, made from scratch, locally-sourced chef prepared meals right to your door! www.donovansdish.com.
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34. Bittersweet Design Jewelry, $338 and up Lori + Lulu
Singular and unique, and all hand-made. Layered necklaces are elegant and free-spirited, with a subdued bohemian flair.
35. Reflection Chroma Captive Holiday Set, $103
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Douglas Carroll Salon
Kérastase Paris and Douglas Carroll Salon always strive to give clients a personalized solution to their hair’s needs. During the holiday season, there is no better gift than one picked with that same personal thought for a loved one.
36. Restorative Skin Complex with TriHex Technology™, $195 Museum Spa & Laser Center, PLLC
Restore and maintain skin health for a vibrant, youthful appearance. Emollient formulation with key ingredients to help volumize and lift aging skin. Synergistic ingredients combat all visible signs of aging for the face, neck, and décolleté.
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37. Chippewa Tan Renegade 6” Utility Boot, $299
Devolve Moto
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For Chippewa’s Heritage Collection, the design team recreated a pair of 1930s work boots found in their archives and updated them with an oil-resistant Vibram® outsole. Available in store and online at DevolveMoto.com.
38. Juvederm Voluma® Blue Water Spa
Juvederm Voluma® is an FDA-approved injectable filler that can be used to restore mid-face volume loss. At Blue Water Spa, our expert nurse injectors conservatively administer Juvederm Voluma for beautiful, natural-looking results.
39. Faux Fur, $178 dress
We love a good faux fur to throw on in the cooler months. This is a great neutral and can be added to any outfit to instantly up your style.
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40. Medi CEP Progressive Run Socks, $60/pair Raleigh Vein and Laser Center
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Not just for runners! These compression therapy socks put a bounce in your step. Many styles and colors available.
41. Opalescence Go®, $50
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Renaissance Dental Center
Convenient, ready-to-go whitening. A professional whitening gel delivered in pre-filled, disposable trays, Opalescence Go® features the enhanced UltraFit™ tray and can deliver dramatic results in as a little as 15 minutes per day. Normally $62 – offer ends 12/31/16.
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42. Elaborate Door Wreaths, $210 (pictured)
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Keith Lloyd Designs at Lloyd & Lady Boutiques Magnificent wreaths, table arrangements and decorations for all seasons from Keith Lloyd Designs. Raleigh’s award-winning, full-service interior, holiday and floral design company specializing in residential and commercial design since 1997.
43. Alpaca Beanie, $198 and up Jbat Boutique
Hand-woven Alpaca beanie with fox trim. Adult sizes available in black, grey, ivory and camel. Children’s sizes available in pink and blue.
44. Costa Del Mar Sunglasses “South Sea”, $149-$259
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Digital Optical
A wide range of styles for everyone on your gift giving list.
45. Childcare & Sitter Services PlatinumSitters®
Give the deserving parents in your life the gift of freedom with reliable, on-call childcare. Any dollar amount credit may be gifted. www.platinumsitters.com.
46. BWS Signature Facial Blue Water Spa
Visible results are evident after this therapeutic facial. At Blue Water Spa, we use medical strength antioxidant products which are formulated to penetrate deeply for maximum benefits.
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47. Maps by A. Jaffe Collection, $125 and up Diamonds Direct Crabtree
Custom made necklaces, bracelets and cufflinks that can be engraved with any location in the world – a diamond marks the spot of a special place or memory!
48. Bralette and Boy Short Set, $70 The Bra Patch
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By Wacoal – pretty enough to let it show. Also available separately: bralette $38, boy short $32.
49. Ferocious Lime Green Foo Dogs, $49.99/each Hunt & Gather Seaboard Station
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8.5” tall x 9” long.
50. Botox®
Blue Water Spa Botox will leave you looking refreshed and more youthful. Michael Law MD Aesthetic Plastic Surgery / Blue Water Spa is the number one provider of Botox in the Triangle.
51. Metric Knits Vest, $284
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Kannon’s Clothing
A gorgeous Metric Knits vest in a deliciously soft and warm combo of rabbit and raccoon makes it easy to add trend-right texture to your look.
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52. Unique Beverage Container, $35
Blue Water Spa
With each purchase, Blue Water Spa will plant 10 trees with Trees for the Future. Complimentary with the purchase of a $250 gift card.
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53. David Yurman Pure Form Stack Rings, $500 Bailey’s Fine Jewelry
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Set of two stackable, sterling silver, detachable rings, 5mm wide each.
54. Geometric Drop Earrings, $6,250 53
Haydon & Company
18 karat rose gold geometric drop earrings with colorless, cognac and black diamonds.
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55. Classic Decanter, $48 Revival Antiques
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This classic decanter with vintage barware makes a wonderful gift.
56. Hand Knitted Beaver, $3,900 Jbat Boutique
Paula Lishman hand knitted beaver with silver fox fur trim. Lightweight, perfect for the southern climate. Available in eight colors.
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57. Strapped Bag, $60 Lloyd & Lady Boutiques
Women love purses, and this strapped bag is the perfect size to hold all your essentials.
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58. More Than Meets the Eye Palette, $36 Sephora
A 32-shade eye shadow palette that includes everyday neutrals, smoky and highlighting shades, and bright pops of color.
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59. Faux Fur Throws, $45-125 Sew Fine II
These lush faux fur throws are perfectly woven for realistic beauty and softness. Available in a wide range of neutral colors, these throws are the perfect cozy accent to any room.
60. CoolSculpting Blue Water Spa
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CoolSculpting is an FDA-cleared, totally nonsurgical procedure to eliminate stubborn fat with no downtime. Our dual system treatment provides fat elimination in half the time as traditional CoolSculpting.
61. Super-Soft Wrap, $29.99-$44.99 Homewood Nursery
Stay warm, fashionable and comfortable with a three-in-one super-soft wrap from Top it Off. Available in solid colors and plaids.
62. Kevin.Murphy Products, Prices Vary
Garnish Hair Studio + Extension Bar Gorgeous hair is the greatest gift of all. Garnish your hair this holiday season with our Kevin. Murphy product line. We can help you create the perfect holiday gift set. Purchase five or more Kevin.Murphy products and receive 20% off!
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63. Necklace, $550 Reliable Jewelry
Blue Orchid necklace by Giovanni Raspini, Italy in sterling silver and hydrothermal quartz, 16” plus extender.
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64. Asa Blanchard Bourbon Barrel Beaker, $99.95 and up NOFO @ the Pig
Shown in gloss pewter. Assorted styles.
65. Shower Curtain and Bath Mat, $60
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POP DE-CO Interiors
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Stylish set includes shower curtain in waterrepellent polyester with metal grommets at top, 71”x79”, and bath mat in thick, jacquard-weave cotton terry, 24”x18”, beautifully packed as a gift. Enter code NORDICGIFT at web checkout.
66. Chelsea Boot, $695
Kannon’s Clothing
Grayson is a stylish Chelsea boot perfect for everyday wear. The durable elastic gore adds comfort and easy access. Available in royal calf. Leather sole. Handmade in Texas.
67. Frederick Cooper Crystal Hurricane, $110/each
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DT&Co.
The perfect piece to bring warm light and distinctive style to a mantle or tabletop this holiday season.
68. Diamond Studs, $2,679 Raleigh Diamond
Set in fine 14k white gold are the earrings that will go everywhere. Always a perfect choice, this pair weighs in at 1.00 carat total weight and boasts H color, SI2 clarity with laboratory certifications.
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69. Laser Hair Removal, Blue Water Spa
Be free of unwanted hair with laser hair removal for all skin types. Our laser are proven most effective in peer-reviewed medical journals.
70. The Abigail Vest, $48 Pink Boutique
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The Abigail Vest in cream is the perfect style for this holiday season! This faux fur vest features a unique leather outline with a fold-over collar, side pockets, and a furry interior that makes you feel like you’re walking around in a blanket. midtownmag.com | 107
Midtown Grille
HOLIDAY S D R A C T F I G
Midtown Grille offers gift cards in any denomination. Purchase gift cards in-store, by phone, or online through Quick Gifts at giftcards.quickgifts.com/merchant/ the-midtown-grille. 919.782.9463, themidtowngrille.com.
Saint Jacques French Cuisine
Treat someone special to a Saint Jacques French Cuisine gift card. May be used toward our monthly cooking classes, wine dinners or any meal.
Sassool
Sassool is a local, family owned and operated café delivering authentic Lebanese and Mediterranean recipes with fresh, healthy ingredients. Located in Cary and North Raleigh.
Second Empire
FOOD & DRINK b.good
Real food begins with beef, produce and dairy sourced from North Carolina farmers. The b.good fast-casual menu always reflects the seasons. Grass-fed beef burgers are house ground. Seasonal salads and Kale & Grain Bowls are accented by proprietary house-made dressings. Make your holiday parties memorable. We cater!
Café Tiramisu
Give the gift of truly authentic Northern Italian cuisine! Café Tiramisu is an intimate, family-owned restaurant that has had a large presence in Northridge Shopping Center for over 20 years. Chef Paolo DeMartino’s 40+ years of experience and revered talent, along with the elegant decor, will give you a fine Northern Italian dining experience at its best! Extensive wine list. Indulge in any of our incredible dishes, but don’t forget to try the spinach fettuccine as it is famously unforgettable! Gift cards available. cafetiramisu.net 919.790.1006.
Catering Works
Give the gift of healthy food for 2017! Catering Works Personal Chef division provides custom menu plans to serve a variety of tastes and dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, Paleo diet and others as needed. Meals are delivered to your door, ready to reheat and enjoy! Call 919.828.5932 or cateringworks. com/personalchef. 108 | midtownmag.com
Empire Eats
Now you don’t have to choose! The Empire Eats gift card lets you choose from any of our award-winning restaurants: The Pit, The Raleigh Times, The Morning Times, Sitti and Gravy. Purchase online at empireeats.com.
Eschelon Experiences
Give the gift of great food with a gift card to one of our restaurant concepts; Mura @ North Hills, Edwards Mill Bar & Grill, Cameron Bar & Grill, Basan Bull City Sushi or Bare Bones. Buy them in the restaurants or online at EschelonExperiences.com/ Shop.
JoCa’s Gourmet Dawgs N’ Shakes
An elevated version of the classic American hot dog stand. Gourmet all-beef frankfurters and handspun milkshakes. Now featuring Angus beef smashed burgers! Good value in a relaxed, friendly and fun atmosphere, where you will always be treated like family! jocasgourmet.com.
Mia Francesca
Mia Francesca is offering an additional $25 gift card for every purchase of $100 in gift cards from November 25th through December 31st! Gift it to a friend or keep it for yourself! Either way, let Mia Francesca help you celebrate the Holiday season!
Offering a holiday (and everyday) dining experience that combines an atmosphere of classical history and elegance with a selection of cuisine that is as exquisitely unique as it is delicious. second-empire. com, 919.829.3663.
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
Indulge in mouthwatering steaks and succulent seafood this holiday season. Enjoy a little give and take. Now through December 31st get $75 in bonus cards for every $500 in gift cards purchases, or $10 for every $100. Purchase in-store or online at dfrg.com/gift-card.
Village Grill
Let the Village Grill host your holiday party, office party or family get-together in our beautiful private dining room, or let us bring the party to you. Gift cards are available for a great holiday treat! villagegrillraleigh.com, 919.890.5340.
Vinnie’s Steakhouse
Independently owned and operated, Vinnie’s Steakhouse proudly serves Certified Angus Beef in a variety of cuts and sizes and the freshest seafood available, including our Jumbo Cold Water Lobster tails, classic Italian fare, Farmer’s Market vegetables and homemade desserts. Our display wine cellar houses an extensive selection of wines from around the world and serves as a centerpiece to our intimate and elegant dining room. Vinnie’s has three private rooms to host special events for your holiday party for groups of eight to 80. Gift cards are available for any holiday treat. vinniessteakhouse.com/raleigh | 919.847.7319.
BEAUTY, HEALTH & FITNESS Douglas Carroll Salon
Your beauty defined. The perfect gift for the holiday season. Dazzle yourself with a gift card from Douglas Carroll Salon. Gift cards purchased by December 15th receive a 10% bonus card.
Expressions Permanent Makeup Artistry
Any Expressions permanent makeup artistry procedure, a $500 value, for $350 in gift certificates. Procedures include permanent eyeliner or brows, which includes the option of micro-blading.
Fabulously Flawless
Give the gift of beauty this holiday season with a gift card from Fabulously Flawless. From permanent makeup, paramedical tattooing and tattoo removal to anti-aging and skin rejuvenation treatments, we have endless options to make everyone feel fabulous. fabulouslyflawlessnc.com | 919.637.2554.
Garnish Hair Studio + Extension Bar
Gorgeous Hair is the greatest gift of all. Garnish Hair Studio + Extension Bar is committed to transforming the lives of each client through the art of hair. At Garnish, you can expect unparalleled customer service and thoughtful attention to creating an unforgettable Garnish experience.
MassageEnvy
Holiday gift card specials: Buy $100 in gift cards and receive a $25 gift card. Buy $150 in gift cards and receive a $50 gift card. Offer valid November 7th through December 24th. Some restrictions apply. See MassageEnvyRDU.com for details.
O2 Fitness
O2 Fitness is the premier option for your health and fitness in the Triangle. With 10 area locations offering countless group exercise classes, indoor cycling, yoga, a full range of fitness equipment, luxury locker rooms and professional trainers, it has something for everyone on your list. Get a one-month membership with full access to all O2 has to offer PLUS three half-hour personal training sessions for $99 ($200 value)! Visit o2fitnessclubs.com.
Specialists in Plastic Surgery
Give the gift of plastic surgery this year. Specialists in Plastic Surgery, PA is offering gift certificates for any cosmetic surgery, injection or CoolSculpting procedure.
Synergy Spa & Aesthetics
This holiday season give the gift of relaxation and rejuvenation with a gift certificate to Synergy Spa & Aesthetics! From now until December 24th receive a complimentary manicure gift certificate with every $150 gift certificate purchase in person, over the phone or online at feelsynergy.com.
The MedSpa
Complete your holiday shopping with a gift certificate from The MedSpa! Renewed, radiant, younger-looking skin can be wrapped up for all your gift-giving needs. The team at The MedSpa is dedicated to the improvement of your skincare lifestyle. We listen, educate and enhance your individual needs through a targeted consultation and discussion of your desired goals. Right now, give and receive…for every $150 certificate you purchase, receive and additional $25 (for you or to give!). Now that’s a gift worth giving! Discover you. Discover The MedSpa.
ENTERTAINMENT
North Carolina Theatre
Give the gift of theatre! Gift certificates available in any amount for all shows on our Timeless 2016/17 Season, including Disney’s Beauty & the Beast, the greatest rock-opera ever created, Jesus Christ Superstar, Matilda the Musical, and more! Call 919.831.6941 x6943 to purchase.
SHOPPING North Hills
Give the gift that’s on everyone’s list – a North Hills gift card! Available in denominations up to $500, the North Hills gift card can be used at almost any North Hills store, restaurant or salon. It’s the perfect gift for anyone on your list. Drop by Guest Services (next to Vineyard Vines), and get your gift card today!
Raleigh Plastic Surgery
Dr. Glenn Lyle introduces ThermiVa®, the first non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation treatment with no downtime. Treat yourself this holiday season by taking back control! Reclaim your sexual health, restore your well-being and revive your relationship with ThermiVA! Call our office to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Glenn Lyle. 919.872.2616. midtownmag.com | 109
feelgoodz treehouse
gifts from
HERE How to shop Raleigh this holiday season
by corbie hill photography by joe reale 110 | midtownmag.com
Jennifer Martin, executive director of Shop Local Raleigh, has a suggestion... She doesn’t want shoppers to abandon all national chains and exclusively patronize little local mom-and-pops, nothing that extreme. She simply wants them to challenge themselves to spend 10 percent of their annual budgets at local stores. That’s it. “If your entire household shifted 10 percent a year each year, we’re talking millions of dollars annually in extra tax revenue,” Martin explains. “What that does is it helps keep our community unique.” One of Shop Local Raleigh’s primary missions is to connect businesses with the local community. In the holiday season, this is especially essential. Many of the locally-owned and independent shops that give Raleigh its distinctive character rely heavily on holiday sales. Martin is clear: she’s not anti-big box store. She knows there are household items and such that it simply makes more sense to buy in bulk at these shops. When shoppers have a choice, though, she’d rather they put some money back into Raleigh. The independent shops here, she feels, give the City of Oaks its character and may be one of the reasons it tends to rank so high on many livability lists. Online retailers are local shops’ other major competitor. “Especially with the specialty stores, the struggle is showrooming,” Martin says. This buzzword emerged a year or two ago,
she says, but the phenomenon is still very much a problem. People will go into a store, try on the clothes or check out the merchandise, and then go online to buy it. “That happens more often than we’d like it to,” Martin continues. “That store won’t be there one day for you to try things on and then go buy them online.” Without sales, stores close, so Martin and Shop Local Raleigh work to get people to think local first. For landscaping, for eating out, for new clothes or professional services – you can get that all locally, she says. Midtown caught up with Martin to get holiday shopping advice, and she presented us with several options for shopping locally. Obviously we couldn’t cover every local independent store – there are simply so many in Raleigh – so if your favorite boutique isn’t mentioned below, the best thing you can do is tell a friend about it and encourage them to shop there.
MIDTOWN: NORTH HILLS “That’s the kind of place where someone could just walk around and do that local shopping with one parking space,” Martin says. There’s boutique Scout and Molly’s (4120-120 Main at North Hills St; 919.754.8430; scoutandmollys.com) midtownmag.com | 111
Scout and Molly’s
and BeyondBlue Interiors (4350 Lassiter at North Hills Ave #102; 919.896.6630; beyondblueinteriors.com). “Both of these shops are locally owned and independent, but they’re part of North Hills,” Martin says. There’s also luxury eyewear shop The Spectacle (4209 Lassiter at North Hills Ave #110; 919.783.5863; specsnh. com) and local bookworm haven Quail Ridge Books (4209-100 Lassiter Mill Rd; 919.828.1588; quailridgebooks.com) moved into its North Hills space this
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Quail Ridge Books
summer. “It’s a nice place even to go hang out sometimes, to go and create that sense of community,” says Martin.
SEABOARD STATION
On Peace Street between Capital Boulevard and Halifax Street “Right there you have a wine store that also sells craft beer, you have a hardware store, you have a clothes boutique. You
have a home decorating store, you have a coffee shop, you have a bottle shop, you have several restaurants,” Martin says. “That is one place you can go and park and go door to door and probably cross everyone off your list.” Galatea Boutique (10 W. Franklin St; 919.833.8565; GalateaBoutique.com) is a women’s boutique that has been in business for two decades. One of the reasons for its longevity and success is Galatea owner Cheryl Fraser’s ability to adapt to
Moon and Lola
NOFO at the Pig
customers’ changing needs, Martin says. Seaboard Wine and Tasting Bar (802 Semart Dr, Ste 118; 919.831.0850; SeaboardWine.com) is another longlived local business that sells wine and craft beer and boasts a wine bar. There’s more to Logan’s One Stop Garden Shop (707 Semart Dr; 919.828.5337; logantrd.com) than pavers, seeds and tomato cages. “What I love about Logan’s is they have a whole gift shop inside,” Martin says. “They have all kinds of things for the home. During the holidays they change and have this huge holiday section.” There’s a cafe inside as well.
Wilmington Street, downtown “I park in a deck and I kind of take a tour, take a walk,” Martin says. “I love Wilmington, that you have a couple [of shops] in a row.” Gypsy Jule (207 W. Davie St; 919.753.7444; gypsyjule. com) is a women’s clothing boutique that Martin describes as the local equivalent of national chains like Free People or Anthropologie. “It’s clothes
you can wear to work,” she says. “It’s clothes you can dress up or dress down.” On the same block, find designer flip-flops at Feelgoodz Treehouse (206 S. Wilmington St; 888.246.5305; feelgoodz.com), monogrammed and personalized items at Moon and Lola (208 S. Wilmington St; 919.322.4227; moonandlola.com), and Holly Aiken bags and wallets at Stitch (20 E. Hargett St; 919.833.8770; hollyaiken.com).
Five Points
The five-way intersection of Glenwood, W. Whitaker Mill, Fairview and Glenn This is another great place to park and walk, Martin says, where you can find high-end children’s consignment store Babiology (2012 Fairview Rd; 919.834.0014; facebook.com/babiology) and women’s boutique Monroe.26 (2012 Fairview Rd; 919.650.3326; instagram. com/monroe.26). Martin mentions the Crafty Beer Shop (2005 Fairview Rd; 919.615.3008; craftybeershop. com), Nofo at the Pig restaurant (2014 Fairview Rd; 919.821.1240; nofo.com) midtownmag.com | 113
Color the World
and Color the World artisanal lipstick shop (1809 Glenwood Ave; 919.888.0052). “With one of their lipsticks, a portion of the sale goes to a certain cause,” Martin says.
OAK PARK SHOPPING CENTER
On Glenwood Avenue just northwest of Crabtree Valley Mall “The entire shopping center is completely local, it’s locally owned,” says Martin. “All the shops inside of it are independent.” Maus Piano and Organ Co (6015 Glenwood Ave; 919.782.8391; mauspiano.com) sells and rents pianos, while Capitol Comics II (5212 Hollyridge Dr; 919.781.9500; capitolcomicsnc.com) celebrated three decades of comic book sales this year. Martin gushes about Gingham and Posh (5210 B Hollyridge Dr; 919.783.5330; ginghamandposh.com). “That’s a great gift shop,” she says. “It’s got things for gifting, it’s got collegiate items, it’s got a North Carolina section.” Gingham and Posh also sells gift baskets.
the lucky tree
Ridgewood Shopping Center
On Wade Avenue just inside the Beltline “It’s another great place where you can park one place and walk the entire center,” Martin says. Dress (3528 Wade Ave; 919.699.6505; dressraleigh.com) is an upscale retail boutique with new and resale clothes, shoes, jewelry and handbags. The Red and White Shop (3526 Wade Ave; 919.803.3268; gopack.com) is packed with NCSU gear, while Great Yarns (1208 Ridge Rd; 919.832.3599; yarnsetc.com) sells yarn but also offers classes in knitting, crocheting and related skills. Ridgewood Wine and Beer Company (1214 Ridge Rd; 919.832.5232; ridgewoodwineandbeer.com) stocks a wide array of bottled beverages, while All-Star Bike Shop (1218 Ridge Rd; 919.833.5070; allstarbikeshop. com) is a good spot to get your bike tuned or find just the right custom bike.
Hillsborough Street near Meredith College The old Royal Bean building, specifically
“The Lucky Tree (3801 Hillsborough St; 919.342.6688; luckytreeraleigh.com) is a gift shop – it’s got shopping, it’s got coffee,” says Martin. “They’ve got vegan bars and things like that. They have stuff that they carry in there for gifts that are locally made and locally sourced as well.” Nearby Raleigh Brewing Company (3709 Neil St; 919.400.9086; raleighbrewingcompany. com) has its taproom, sure, but also a home brew and commercial shop called Atlantic Brew Supply. For anyone on your list with an interest in making their own beer, this sounds like a no-brainer. The Trading Card Co-Op (3801 Hillsborough St #143; 919.436.3775; tradingcardcoop.com) is a good destination for baseball cards or other sports collectibles and memorabilia. 114 | midtownmag.com
raleigh brewing
lisana activewear
LAFAYETTE VILLAGE
On Honeycutt Road just off Falls of Neuse Road This North Raleigh shopping center privileges locals as well. There’s Savory Spice Shop (8470 Honeycutt Rd, Ste 108; 919.900.8291; savoryspiceshop.com/north-carolina/raleighlafayette-village.html), another Crafty Beer Shop location (8450 Honeycutt Rd, Ste 108; 919.703.0874; craftybeershop.com) and Lisana Activewear (8480 Honeycutt Rd, Ste 116; 919.307.3933; lisanaactivewear.com). “It’s all highend, fashionable workout wear, whether you’re looking for yoga pants or a tank top camisole or bike shorts,” Martin says.
Learn more about Shop Local Raleigh at shoplocalraleigh.org midtownmag.com | 115
HAIR for the
Holidays -
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You’ve got a calendar full of parties and dinners and celebrations, and you want to look your best every single time. Start at the top with a fantastic hairstyle suggested by talented stylists at our top local salons. The good news is, the pressure is off to create that one perfect hairstyle that’s on-trend this holiday season. From glamorous movie star-worthy updos and sleek and stylish ponytails, to gently-tossed waves and coils of braids, there are many options for looking your holiday best.
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Mark Christopher Salon At Mark Christopher Salon the stylists are enjoying a season of hairstyles that are pulled back with special added details. They believe that all the little touches combine to form fashionable looks that pull from other eras, but feel very fresh. “Stylist Mint Moran amplified this holiday look in a braided form by twisting, stacking and pinning the hair into a knotted bun at the nape of the neck,” says Brooke Holland, Operations Director at Mark Christopher Salon. “This modern take on the traditional braided updo creates a lovely sleek look that screams youthful sophistication.”
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Garnish Hair Studio and Extension Bar You don’t always have to choose between wearing hair in an updo or leaving it longer and flowing. The creative team at Garnish Studio and Extension Bar describes this style as half up and half down, and twisted into a retro knot. “If you are seeking a stylish and fun holiday look, this style is amazing for any length,” says Garnish’s owner Candice Motley. “It is super easy to replicate and comes across chic and effortless.”
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Salon Blu The stylists at Salon Blu created a holiday hair look that is a tale of two sides. From the back this is a low, messy bun nestled into the nape of the neck. The bun isn’t perfect like a ballerina’s, but is more unstructured as if it were pinned up very quickly. From the front this style is tailored and frames the face with volume on top. And those side tendrils that seemingly escaped from the head add even more softness.
Style By Douglas David, Color By Jordan David
Douglas Carroll Salon, Spa and Boutique This holiday style combines the current popularity of braids with a loose chignon and creator Douglas David, owner of Douglas Carroll Salon, Spa and Boutique says the look is not only glamorous, it is versatile. “To create start with a loose ponytail, then fold pieces of the ponytail up and pin into original pony. The front is softly pulled back away from face with a loose braid, which decorates the top from behind,” says David. “This look is elegant and soft, and can be worn for a gala event, holiday party, or pull some more pieces down for dinner and the movies.” midtownmag.com | 121
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Salon Eden At Salon Eden holiday style is all about the perfectly blow-dried mane. This style is classic. It is sleek and smooth. Tons of body in the hair. Loose curls perfected. This style just begs to be touched. It’s casual, but a closer look reveals symmetry that is very planned. And the blonde waves are perfectly complemented by the red and bold holiday lip. If you’re heading to a holiday outing and are searching for the perfect hair day – or night – take some advice from our pros. A professional touch will certainly always deliver a hairstyle worthy of a photograph or two, but it’s certainly possible to elevate your hairstyle yourself with a braid or a twist, a bun, a topknot or a ponytail. The smallest detail may elevate your style to an entirely new level. And don’t forget to smile. You’re gorgeous and they know it.
Physios This piggyback ponytail is presented by Jon Williams, owner of Physios, who says every stylish hair arsenal needs to include an option for running home from work and getting ready in a hurry for the evening ahead. “If you can make two ponytails, you’ve got it made,” Williams says. The directions for this do include sectioning the hair from ear to crown and crown to ear. Create one ponytail in the crown section and another ponytail in the lower section, just a few inches below the part. Secure the top ponytail to the bottom ponytail, and enjoy. midtownmag.com | 123
The celebration known as Kwanzaa is turning 50 years old this holiday season This weeklong festival that celebrates African Americans is rich in history and tradition, and encompasses principles to live by the whole year through. By Carla Turchetti
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chair of Africana Studies at California State University Long Beach. He pulled pieces from several different kinds of African harvest festivals to develop this holiday honoring commitment to family, community and culture. At the heart of Kwanzaa is its seven different principles. A different principle is observed and discussed on each night beginning on December 26th. Dr. Karenga selected Kwanzaa for the name of his celebration because it roughly translates in Swahili to “first fruits”. Each principle is also referred to by its name in Swahili, which was chosen because it is a vehicular language that transcends any single group and is used across Africa.
photo © history.com
Dr. Maulana Karenga is a professor, activist, author, and best known as the creator of Kwanzaa.
The seven principles are Umoja * Unity Kujichagulia * Self-determination Ujima * Collective work and responsibility Ujamaa * Cooperative economics Nia * Purpose Kuumba * Creativity Imani * Faith, especially faith in one’s self
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“The Kwanzaa principles are really what I call common sense kinds of things, almost like the Ten Commandments or the Beatitudes,” says Beverly Burnette, a Midtown resident and president of the North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers. “I’m a retired school social worker, and in social work and guidance we called them character traits.” Burnette and other storytellers are often called on to participate in larger gatherings that celebrate Kwanzaa, and they share stories that relate to each of the seven traits. The group is also the force behind a nationally syndicated radio show that airs on NPR/International Public Radio each year. “A Season’s Griot” has been hosted for the past 21 years by storyteller Madafo Lloyd Wilson of Wilmington, and has featured original compositions by Burnette. “In storytelling we like to not only promote the positives,
we like to promote the culture and guide the young people in the right way for their own lives,” Burnette says. Donna Washington, a Triangle author who has written two books for children about Kwanzaa, is also called on to perform at Kwanzaa celebrations. “It is not a religious holiday, it is a festival,” Washington says. “It is a celebration of what we can do to make the world a better place. So every day is about celebrating our power to change the world.” The Traditions Some who celebrate Kwanzaa take part in larger, community-based gatherings while others choose to celebrate each of the nights at home as a family. Tradition calls for a table to be set as the centerpiece of the celebration. A mat made of African cloth is placed on the table, followed by the kinara, which is a candleholder. There are seven candles, one for each principle, in the colors of Kwanzaa, which are black, red and green. Black stands for the people, red stands for the struggle, and green represents the future and hope. Candles are lit every night and typically a unity cup with a libation is shared. “It honors the elders because that is where the power of your life comes from, from the things that were handed down to you. You stand on the shoulders of the people who did the hard work so you can have what you have,” Washington says. Corn is also placed on the mat to symbolize the crops of the harvest, and African art objects and books are displayed to represent culture. Children are given gifts during Kwanzaa, which usually include a book and a heritage symbol to emphasize learning and tradition. The presence of gifts is not intended to take away from other holidays in December. “When it first began 50 years ago people were a little suspect and thought it would replace Christmas or some other religious holiday,” says Burnette. “It’s not a religious holiday, but you can still find the messages for one’s life caught up in those principles.” Washington says Dr. Karenga created this celebration with the intention of bringing light to the world. “There is no festival of Kwanzaa anywhere in Africa,” Washington says, “It is based on celebrations of first fruit in Africa. The seasons are reversed, and harvests are happening then. He placed it at this time of year because it is another festival of lights along with Ramadan, Hanukkah and Christmas.” Living a Life of Principles While the actual Kwanzaa celebration only lasts for a week each year, the principles can be observed around the year. Professional dancer, choreographer and poet Aya Shabu believes in living the principles of Kwanzaa every day. Shabu is an alumna of the nationally recognized African American Dance Ensemble and shares African American history through her performances. “Because I work on living these principles 365 days a year, I’ve named each day of the week for a different principle,” says Shabu. “I love Sundays, which are Umoja – unity. I am reminded of my childhood when our family got together after church for a big Sunday dinner.
Coming together as a community generates a deep feeling of personal power enabling me to strike out on Monday for Kujichagulia, self-determination. With the power of my family and my community behind me, I am able to face the demands of the larger society.” Shabu says the day and principle she finds the most challenging is Ujamaa, or cooperative economics. “As a black woman, mother and artist, I often feel excluded from opportunities because of my gender, race and class. Despite the example of the historic
“In storytelling we like to not only promote the positives, we like to promote the culture and guide the young people in the right way for their own lives.” Hayti neighborhood and Black Wall Street, economic solidarity within the black community remains a challenge,” Shabu says. “There are lots of communities who need the values all year,” Washington says. “To be honest, they are about poverty and power. If you don’t support the members of your own community, then your community will fail. Anytime you don’t support your community, it is going to die.” Washington’s favorite principle is Kujichagulia, or self-determination, which was the theme of her picture book for children, Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa. “If you’re determined within yourself to do something, your action has a ripple effect on everything around you – good, bad or indifferent. When you take that first step and you decide you are going to do something, you change the world around you,” Washington says. Burnette is particularly drawn to the principle of the seventh day, which is Imami, or faith. “You have got to have faith in something beyond yourself and you also have to have faith in yourself,” Burnette says. She believes it is important to keep teaching the younger generations the meaning of the seven principles. “All of them have a good connotation taken by themselves. But collectively, the seven really give a good guidance toward life and existence and how to live your life as an example for your children and for your people. If you stand on those seven principles, you’d be a pretty good citizen,” Burnette says. “All of them are about you, your family, your community and your nation,” Washington says. “If you are strong for your family and your family works for the community and the community works for the wider nation, then we will all be better off. These are principles to live by every day.” midtownmag.com | 125
Holidays to Savor: Your guide to winter holidays and traditions By Jackie Boeheim and Carol Wills
To truly celebrate a holiday is to understand and engage in the rituals and practices that belong to your particular heritage. Many of the major religious groups have Christmas traditions, which may include feasts and pageants, with little kids dressed as shepherds, angels, wise men and sheep. But do you realize that other religious groups besides Christians also celebrate December holidays? The Triangle is home to many different kinds of churches and temples, and each denomination has its own reasons for celebration. Therefore, while you are busy decorating the Christmas tree with antique ornaments, one of your neighbors may be lighting the first candle of the menorah, and another neighbor may be quietly meditating. Following is a very brief summary of the celebrations that will be taking place this December. 126 | midtownmag.com
Buddhism
While Buddhists do not celebrate Christmas, they do celebrate Bodhi Day, which falls on December 8th. The wealthy Prince Siddhartha Gautama, confronted with the reality of life and the suffering of mankind, left home to seek a way out of this universal misery. For six years he sought comfort and contentment by trying out various religious practices, but to no avail. So abandoning all traditional religions, he sat down under a Bodhi tree and meditated until, upon seeing the morning star at dawn, he achieved enlightenment. He became known as the Buddha, The Enlightened One, and Bodhi Day celebrates this occasion. Buddhists honor this day through meditation. Often they decorate their homes with strings of colored lights or enjoy a simple meal of rice and milk, remembering the Buddha’s first meal after his enlightenment.
Catholic and Protestant Christians
The four Sundays leading up to Christmas are celebrated by many Christians as Advent. In the Roman Catholic Church, as well as in many Protestant denominations, this is a time of preparation for the birth of the Christ Child. During this time, many homes and churches display an Advent wreath, which features four candles – three purple and one white. Once Christmas arrives, Catholics and many other Protestant denominations observe the January holiday known as Epiphany, the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi. Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany as commemorating the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, also seen as his introduction to the world as the Son of God.
Judaism
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, will be celebrated in 2016 from Saturday, December 24th, through Sunday, January 1st. This eightday Jewish holiday commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Central to the celebration of Hanukkah is the lighting of candles on the menorah, a candleholder which has eight branches and a central socket for the shamash, or helper candle, which is used to light all the others. According to the Talmud, after the desecration of the Temple, there was only enough sealed (and therefore not desecrated) consecrated olive oil left to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was enough time to make the new pure oil. In remembrance of this miracle, the menorah has been a symbol for Judaism since ancient times and is the emblem on the coat of arms for the modern state of Israel. The Mormon Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (called Mormons) do not have a special service on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, although some individual groups of ward members may hold a Christmas party to celebrate. However, the Mormon church has a worldwide Christmas celebration early in December called the Christmas Devotional. The program is broadcast from the headquarters of the church in Utah and is carried via satellite and internet throughout the world. The Devotional features Christmas music and talks from Mormon leaders about Christ, charity and hope. Mormon parties and family gatherings typically feature alcohol-free eggnog and delicious casseroles and desserts. Many of our neighbors and friends do not celebrate Christmas as a part of their religious observances, but all of us can join in welcoming in the new year and celebrating our unity as human beings on this fragile little blue planet. Whatever the future holds for our world, every single one of us will be affected. We can celebrate by reaching out to each other with expressions of good will, thereby making the world a happier place for the generations coming after us. midtownmag.com | 127
midtowndowntown
HoldOn As Downtown Raleigh Turns Its Attention to Retail, Holder Goods & Crafts Turns One By Karlie Justus Marlowe Photography By Davies Photography 128 | midtownmag.com
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows that line the street front of Holder Goods & Crafts’ South Street shop, sunshine bounces off the small pockets of industrial concrete floors and white shiplap walls not already covered with art, furniture, rugs and textiles. Next door, the smell of a weekend batch of bread wafts over. Later, up the street, a band’s afternoon sound check at Red Hat Amphitheater will cut through the one-way street’s traffic into downtown Raleigh. The store, a mix of antiques, quirky home goods from contemporary lines, and local art and furniture, feels like a poster child for Raleigh’s new fascination with clustered creative experimentation at the hands of local talent.
The light-filled space is a perfect backdrop for a mix of gift items, curiosities and home decor. Creative director Bryan Costello travels around the state and country to find its one-of-a-kind antiques.
Creative Director Bryan Costello helped open the shop just over a year ago, returning to Raleigh after a nearly five-year stint in Texas. He’d moved to the Lone Star State in 2011 after Raleigh’s sweet but sleepy pace became stifling. “Raleigh really became a home,” said Costello, who had worked in bars and played in bands, with some freelance graphic design on the side. “But it was a time when Raleigh was content with its standing, and I got an opportunity to take a life leap move to Austin.” On a walk around his new city, Costello spotted a hiring sign in the window of Uncommon Objects, the go-to Texan vintage shop on Austin’s hip South Congress Avenue. “I worked there for almost five years, and it’s one of the most wonderful antique curiosities shops in the country,” he said. “I learned about running a business, merchandising, the history of objects, and working with designers. It was like going to grad school twice.” Austin’s tech and culture renaissance was fully underway, thanks to the annual SXSW conference and an influx of young professionals in search of lower prices with a high quality of living. Suddenly, Costello found himself on the other side of the pendulum from the slower-paced urban scene of Raleigh. “Austin boomed, and became a crazy mess,” he recalled. “I thought I’d plan a return to Raleigh one day, then I got a call from my friend Sam Kirkpatrick.” midtownmag.com | 129
VISIT HOLDER GOODS & CRAFTS Home goods, art and gifts, located beside Boulted Bread. 612 West South Street • holdergoodsandcrafts.com
Kirkpatrick co-owns Boulted Bread, a bakery and stone mill that opened in 2014 on the stretch of South Street that connects Boylan Heights and downtown Raleigh. The space next to Boulted came open, and he jumped on it with Costello in mind. “He said he wanted to do something different and creative, throwing all the buzzwords at me,” Costello remembered with a laugh. “But he really did want to contribute creatively to this city.” After thinking on it for a week and wrapping up a band tour, he made the trip north to take on the role as creative director. The shop started small, a labor of love between him, Sam, and Sam’s wife Meredith, with a carefully curated mix of small gifts and books with antique rugs and largescale local art. They hosted a mix of in-store events to drive traffic, including new art installation parties, tintype photographer sessions, coffee tastings, and even a holiday screening of seasonal favorite Home Alone, as Costello continued to figure out its place in the growing downtown retail scene. “Our first year was amazing, thanks to the community support. Like any first year in retail, it had its big ups and downs, especially as more retail spaces started opening left and right downtown,” 130 | midtownmag.com
he said. To celebrate the milestone, Holder Goods & Crafts threw a big party in September, before turning an eye to its second year. “The face of the store changes constantly, and now we’re taking our first steps into the interior design and styling worlds,” Costello said. “The idea is we’ll be a shop, gallery, and interiors service.” The design offerings will help customers re-create the look and feel of the shop, especially for those who “want a break from that Southern Living traditional thing,” Costello notes. “We’ll also relaunch the site with an online store and information on working with us for styling and interior design.” In the meantime, he’s focused on stocking inventory for the second holiday pop-up shop. In addition to the shop’s bevy of Turkish towels, African mud cloths, Province Apothecary incense and primitive farm tables, Holder will host local artisan vendors like Raleigh’s Horn and Heel, feeding the same drive to celebrate backyard talent. “We just wanted to get involved creatively in Raleigh,” Costello remembers back to the store’s opening. “What a moment we’re in. We can be advocates for authenticity, and hopefully inspire more retail to open downtown.”
OAK CITY GIFT GUIDE Downtown Raleigh’s burgeoning retail scene continues to grow, making it a prime spot to find gifts for family and friends. Here’s a sampling of stores that’ll check off all boxes on your Christmas shopping list. The co-worker with extreme local pride DECO Raleigh 19 West Hargett Street The crafter with a curator’s eye Gather Goods Co. 200 East Franklin Street The hipster with a sense of humor Edge of Urge 215 East Franklin Street #110 The minimalist designer Port of Raleigh 416 South McDowell Street The urban Southern gentleman Lumina Clothing 215-120 East Franklin Street The fashionista who considers brunch a sport Dogwood Collective 325 Blake Street The James Dean superfan Devolve Moto 304 Glenwood Avenue The jeans snob Raleigh Denim Workshop + Curatory 319 West Martin Street The friend decorating their first home Ramble Supply Co. 123 East Martin Street The boss who runs on their lunch break Runologie 401 Hillsborough Street, Suite B
The only ve practice to ha d this upgrade in technology ! North Carolina
The little sister, sibling or sorority-wise Gypsy Jule 207 West Davie Street The stylish mom Stitch 20 East Hargett Street The newlywed with a new monogram Moon & Lola 208 South Wilmington Street
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
MIDTOWN MAGAZINE’S
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2016 holiday spa GUIDE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Regenesis MD Aesthetics & Anti-Aging
Dr. Bhavna Vaidya-Tank’s practice brings a unique experience of fusing medicine, wellness and premiere aesthetics to her new luxurious Raleigh location, Regenesis MD. Unlike traditional “Med Spas”, Regenesis MD is a practice of Medical Aesthetics. Dr. Vaidya-Tank is board certified by the American Academy of Anti-Aging. The motto and mission of her practice is “Taking care of patients from the inside out”. Regenesis MD offers extensive genetic testing and bioidentical hormone replacement, a natural treatment that has over 90% efficacy. The practice also provides the best and most current laser and injection techniques in the Triangle, as well as countless other aesthetic services. Waseem Garbia, PA-C is a Master Injector and Nationally Certified Trainer. Regenesis MD was the first in the area to offer the New Vobella® filler. Regenesis MD provides the most cutting-edge aesthetic techniques, products and services in a warm, relaxing, and elegant environment. Regenesis MD is Dr. Vaidya-Tank’s answer to the gap between how someone feels and how they look. The practice specializes in cutting-edge aesthetics, weight loss, and sexual health. Your skin and physical beauty should mirror overall good health and vitality. Regenesis MD offers over 200 supplements, specially created by Dr. Tank, to address overloaded adrenals and other health issues that can cause premature aging. Dr. Vaidya-Tank is the Triangle’s only certified physician practice to offer the O- and P- shots for sexual dysfunction. In addition to this inside-out-approach to anti-aging, Regenesis MD has some of the newest cuttingedge technologies in the Carolinas. Regenesis MD is also one of the only practices in the area with both UltraShape® and VelaShape® body contouring technologies. The aesthetics include PRP, acne, and medical lasers to name a few. Dr. Tank and her team strive to make you the most beautiful and radiant person you can be, from the inside out.
8020 Creedmoor Road Raleigh, NC 27613 919.322.2844 regenesismd.com
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2016
Skin Raleigh at Davis & Pyle Plastic Surgery What’s Missing in Your Skin Care Regimen We all want clear, luminous skin – that’s a given. And whether we’re seeking to turn back the clock, zap breakouts, or simply nail that “lit from within” thing, there’s now a product, device or procedure that can deliver. The biggest need for most people is not a miracle product or unrealistic claims. What is needed is experienced help in deciding which option is best – and that’s where our Skin Raleigh Experts come in. Our surgeons, nurses and licensed estheticians excel at everything from fillers to facials – and though our methods may vary slightly, there’s one golden truth to which we all adhere: everyone can love their skin. Voted ‘Best Place to De-Age’ by Midtown Magazine readers, the teams at Skin Raleigh and Davis & Pyle Plastic Surgery use a proactive and involved approach so that your goals become ours. With this in mind, we do everything we can to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. This starts the minute you walk into our office and meet the team, and extends to our experienced practitioners and to the space itself, where everything is intentional and built around you. Whether you want to tighten, smooth, sparkle or just relax, we pride ourselves on helping people discover beauty through state-of-the-art science and decades of experience. Our customized treatments address every concern; from tell-tale aging signs and pesky cellulite to hyperpigmentation, unwanted hair and more. Having experts for each option and some of the most soughtafter surgeons in the country means that your solutions are unlimited. Located across the hall from Davis & Pyle Plastic Surgery, Skin Raleigh features 4 treatment rooms, a relaxing numbing suite, an outdoor oasis, a Dual CoolSculpting center and a laser treatment room. To connect with a Skin Raleigh Expert (and start loving YOUR skin,) email info@SkinRaleigh.com.
Skin A T D AV I S & P Y L E
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2016 holiday spa GUIDE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Skin Sense, a day spa
Celebrating 25 years Skin Sense, a day spa combines state-of-the-art techniques with a holistic approach to wellness to promote total body wellness and bring balance to life. We recognize that your spa visits are a part of your healthy lifestyle – of caring for your body in harmony with other wellness rituals such as a healthy diet and going to the gym. With that said, we have put together a comprehensive membership program just for you in mind that offers a massage or facial each month, with healthy membership discounts as many times as you would like to come in for a spa visit. This includes the use of our facilities such as our eucalyptus steam room, sauna and relaxation lounge every day of the week, for we are passionate to bring you an outstanding, rejuvenating experience that brings balance to your life. At Skin Sense, a day spa, we have created signature massages that combine the therapeutic benefits of herbs, minerals and temperature variations along with enhancements such as hot stones and aromatherapy, to aid in obtaining and maintaining wellness. Our powerful results-oriented Skin Sense signature facials include deep pore cleansing, steam and exfoliation, and massage of the décolleté and face, along with extractions, a treatment and treatment masque, followed by a protective nourishing cream. Skin Sense also offers peels, Microdermabrasion and a wonderful array of results-oriented products, along with many boutique products as well. Skin Sense has also brought wellness to a brandnew level with the Triangle’s very first Himalayan Salt Cave. The Himalayan Salt Cave offers 87 different minerals that work to regulate many different disorders, such as asthma, allergies, sleep management, pain management and stress relief.
North Raleigh 6801 Falls of Neuse Road
Brier Creek 8441 Brier Creek Parkway
919.870.0700 skinsense.com 136 | midtownmag.com
holiday spa GUIDE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
2016
Synergy Spa & Aesthetics
Voted “Best Med Spa” by Midtown Magazine readers, Synergy Spa & Aesthetics is the Triangle’s only fullservice beauty and wellness destination. Synergy combines the latest in medical aesthetics, laser, advanced clinical skin care and comprehensive spa therapies. When visiting Synergy you will be supported by an expert team of over 75 talented medical and spa professionals, all of whom are dedicated to providing you with the best possible results. Synergy was founded in 2004 by Anna Churchill, who has over 24 years of experience in the medical aesthetics industry. Synergy partners with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Stewart Collins of Collins Plastic Surgery, allowing us to offer a vast array of treatment options from surgical to non-invasive. Synergy is a Diamond Account with Allergan (the makers of Botox®, Juvéderm®, Kybella® and more), and is proud to be in the top two percent of all Allergan practices in the nation. Synergy features CANS (Certified Aesthetics Nurse Specialist) certified nurse injectors, signifying the highest qualifications for medical aesthetics treatments. Synergy offers CoolSculpting paired with the proprietary SynergySculpt™ method, featuring DualSculpting™, CoolAdvantage™, Z Wave Radial Pulse Therapy and a dedicated full-time expert technician. Synergy is proud to be the official massage therapy center for the Carolina Ballet dancers. With two convenient locations, Inside the Beltline and North Raleigh, Synergy offers everything you need to look and feel your best. Whether looking for a day of pampering or perfecting any areas of concern, you have no need to go beyond the world of Synergy, as we have you covered from head to toe.
2603-121C Glenwood Avenue Raleigh, NC 27608 8300-229 Health Park Raleigh, NC 27615 919.510.5130 f e e l s y n e r g y. c o m midtownmag.com | 137
2016 holiday spa GUIDE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
The MedSpa at Raleigh Plastic Surgery
Who We Are: Professionals. Dedicated. Responsive. We are committed to the improvement of your skincare lifestyle through the use of advanced in-office procedures combined with balanced customized protocols and client education with every interaction to achieve corrective results. What We Do: Listen. Educate. Enhance. We assess your individual needs through targeted consultation and discussion of your desired goals, and we match proven corrective techniques with attainable outcomes. We offer a full menu of facial and body prejuvenation, rejuvenation and postjuvenation procedures that fit into your individual lifestyle to build healthy revitalized skin. We offer state-of-the-art treatments with responsive attention to your skincare goals and needs. Who Our Clients Are: Committed. Motivated. Radiant. We cater to any individual looking to make a change for the betterment of their skin – from surgical procedures, milestone events to post-breast reconstruction. Our clients recognize that this is a commitment and that it is worth it. Renewed, radiant, younger-looking skin can be yours. What You Will Experience: Results. Attention. Integrity. Partnering with the surgeons at Raleigh Plastic Surgery Center enables us to provide you with information on the most current procedures available to improve your appearance. As a surgical patient with us, you will receive services and products from The MedSpa that enhance your own beautiful, natural surgical and non-surgical results. What We Believe: Beautiful. Attainable. Affordable Beautiful skin is for everyone! Skincare does not have to be complicated or expensive. It just has to work for YOU and your lifestyle. The MedSpa will coach you to your own Skintegrity – healthy skin achieved through proven techniques, products that are reputable, and a staff that is trustworthy and intentional in the care we provide to you. Discover The MedSpa. Discover YOU.
1112 Dresser Court Raleigh, NC 27609 919.333.4418 themedsparaleigh.com 138 | midtownmag.com
holiday spa GUIDE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
2016
The Museum Spa and Laser Center, PLLC
Our approach is simple: we want to give you our best! Benefit from the best of both worlds – anti-aging, non-invasive medical aesthetics that optimize your overall skin’s vitality and health within a relaxing spa environment. Our goal is to provide excellent, medical-grade skincare, aesthetic laser treatments, Ultherapy®, injectable fillers and wrinkle relaxers. You can be assured that all of our treatments have been carefully assessed by the physician staff of Specialists in Plastic Surgery, PA to ensure that they are safe and effective. Call us for a complimentary consultation. Check out our website for monthly specials!
3633-201 Harden Road Raleigh, NC 27607 919.785.9696 themuseumspa.com
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healthy you
Pain Relief Without Surgery BY Dr. Chad C. Greer, MD, Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician, Raleigh Orthopaedic
It’s fall, which means two things: sports…and sports injuries. As a primary care sports medicine physician, I treat a wide range of musculoskeletal and joint-related injuries every day, but nothing quite compares to the amount of overuse injuries and aggravated arthritis I see this time of year. Golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow and arthritis, ailments involving the inflammation of tendons and joints, are common overuse injuries for athletes. These injuries are caused by repetitive trauma, which can include everything from repetitively shooting a basketball to doing excessive yard work in preparation for the winter weather. As we transition to those cool fall days, student-athletes are beginning to feel the wear and tear of soccer or football season on their muscles, joints and tendons. These injuries are typically non-surgical
and respond to a variety of non-surgical treatments. Surgical treatments may be the option for the quickest recovery time, but it’s not necessarily the ideal treatment for all cases. Letting your body heal on its own terms is often a better alternative, and new treatments exist through nonoperative orthopaedic therapy and advanced regenerative orthopaedics. Such treatments include: Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP) Injections The most commonly understood function of platelets is their role in clotting blood after injuries, but platelets also carry other chemicals known as growth factors. These growth factors signal the body to start the healing process. Damaged cells respond to growth factors by growing,
remodeling, or healing injuries ranging from overuse injuries to arthritis of joints. Stem Cell Therapy Stem cells possess the ability to heal injuries, but rather than using growth factors, these cells differentiate into numerous cell types, such as bone cells or muscle cells. These cells regenerate, so when they are injected into an area that needs healing, your body’s natural response is to accelerate the process and repair the damage. Each process allows your body to recycle your cells for your benefit. If you’re beginning to feel muscular pain near a joint, or notice inflammation near a tendon, visiting an Non-Operative Orthopaedic Specialist to explore advanced regenerative options may be in your best interest.
The information on this page is provided by the advertiser mentioned above to the public.
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healthy you
How to Buy a Mattress by the organic bedroom
Sleep is important. Getting the right amount of sleep is significant, and getting “good” restful sleep is imperative. Sleep rejuvenates the body and allows one to perform physically and mentally during the waking hours. Although there is no denying that a good night’s sleep impacts one’s ability to function during the day, often people don’t take sleep as seriously as they should. Why do we spend hours choosing and preparing healthy foods, carve out portions of our busy day to exercise – all in the name of good health – and then neglect one of the most important elements to health: good quality and restful sleep? What is “good” sleep, and how can we achieve it? To achieve good sleep, start by examining the area where you sleep. For most of us, it is the bedroom. Bedrooms
should be designed for the sole purpose of getting “good” sleep, which can be achieved by creating a cozy environment that lacks major electronics. That means no televisions or stereo systems. Ideally the bedroom is free of bright lighting and loud sounds or noises coming from inside or outside of the house. A bedroom should have plenty of clean, pure air and as little dust and chemical odors as possible. Creating a relaxing environment that is void of smells, sounds or sights is the start of “good” sleep. The final step in achieving “good” sleep is dependent on your mattress. Old mattresses contain sweat from the nightly detoxification process the human body goes through. Dead skin cells, hair and other particles become part of your mattress over the years.
Additionally, older mattresses lose support and don’t provide the comfort they did when they were newer. Keep in mind, your mattress is a surface where your body spends up to eight hours every day, so it should be clean, healthy, supportive and comfortable. Ultimately, if you are not getting the support and comfort you need in your mattress, you should consider a new mattress. When looking for a new mattress you should take into account all of the same things you do with your environment: you want one that is clean and pure, free of toxic odors, and most importantly, comfortable. You can achieve all of this in a mattress made with organic and natural materials such as all-natural latex, wool and cotton. “Good” sleep starts with your environment and ends with a healthy mattress.
The information on this page is provided by the advertiser mentioned above to the public.
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healthy you
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Breast Reconstruction
Quality Of Life After A Mastectomy Can Be Improved by Matthew W. Blanton, MD, Specialists in Plastic Surgery
Breast cancer: the words carry more than just their meaning – they also carry the weight of the emotions involved. For women who have battled breast cancer, a mastectomy is so much more than just what occurs to the body in surgery; it is also emotionally scarring. Recent research has shown that immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy is safe, and moreover improves the quality of life by giving a positive psychological boost to the woman’s self image and confidence. Breasts are a normal part of the female anatomy, but they often also serve as more; breasts serve as surrogate for a woman’s feelings about her identity as a female, as a mother, as a spouse. When a mastectomy occurs, many women have a sense of loss, of not feeling whole, of being lacking in womanhood. What reconstruction offers is an ability to significantly reduce this feeling of loss and begin the positive journey toward emotional healing and physical recovery. The first step is to learn about breast reconstruction surgery by a referral to a plastic and reconstructive surgeon by an oncologic breast surgeon or oncologist. From there the plastic surgeon has discussions regarding the two main types of operations to rebuild the breast shape: breast implants and tissue flap procedures. Based on the initial consultation, the patient’s unique situation and the patient’s wishes, there is a collective decision made with the plastic surgeon on which
type of reconstruction is most appropriate. In addition to the patient’s wishes, the surgeon has to take into consideration the overall health of the patient; which reconstruction is medically and physically appropriate; and the risks versus benefits of each procedure. It is completely normal to have some degree of trepidation and anxiety with electing for immediate reconstruction. After the completion of the reconstructive procedures, women who choose immediate reconstruction tend to feel more normal, both physically and psychologically, than their counterparts who have not have reconstruction. There is the benefit of being able to buy and wear normal clothes without needing to deal with prosthesis; of looking like you did “before.” Most importantly, these women look at their own bodies in a positive light and can begin putting their cancer diagnosis and treatment behind them and look toward the future. Breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy is commonly covered by insurance plans that offer mastectomy coverage, as mandated by the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act. This coverage includes reconstruction, breast prostheses and treatment of all physical complications per the National Cancer Institute. In addition, if symmetrical surgery (i.e. breast lift, reduction, etc) is required on the opposite breast, it is usually also covered. (Please check with your health plan for specifics.)
The information on this page is provided by the advertiser mentioned above to the public.
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OUT ABOUT &
Calendar of events | Midtown Mingles | New Around Town
photograph courtesy of north hills
Visits with Santa at North Hills December 11th & 17th, 1-3pm 4114-4128 Lassiter Mill Road, Raleigh visitnorthhills.com midtownmag.com| 147
calendar ofevents Affordable Chic Christmas Open House November 4th & 5th, 10am-6pm; November 6th, 1-5pm There will be live music, food, Christmas decor and gifts galore to get you in the holiday spirit! Please call for more information at 919.846.0676. 2315 Lynn Rd #106, Raleigh myraleighboutique.com Sisters: 10 Years and Counting November 4th-26th, times vary Mary Beth Owen, potter, and Virginia Owen, jeweler/painter, will be having their 10th annual show. The Sisters are Raleigh natives who have been involved in the Raleigh art scene way before it was cool! Check out their show “Sisters:10 years and Counting” at Local Color Gallery in November! 311 W Martin St, Raleigh localcolorraleigh.com
Affordable Chic Christmas Open House November 4th-6th, December 3rd-4th
Junior League of Raleigh’s A Shopping SPREE! November 3rd-6th, times vary A Shopping SPREE! – a Raleigh tradition for over 30 years – is considered the area’s premier and most original shopping event. This annual four-day shopping fundraiser at showcases regional and national exhibitors for shoppers seeking the latest in fashion and home decor trends, unique gifts and holiday merchandise. This is a juried event ensuring a well-balanced selection of products and quality merchandise. The Raleigh Convention Center 500 S Salisbury St, Raleigh ashoppingspree.org Sleigh Bells in the Snow November 4th-6th, 10am-5pm Christmas Open House at Lloyd and Lady Boutique. 8847 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh lloydandladync.com Ocean South Wine Tasting November 4th, 6:30-8pm A free wine tasting featuring Ocean South. There will be a fantastic lineup for this
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event, so make sure to mark your calendars for November 4th at Taylor’s Wine Shop! 10005 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh taylorswineshop.com Bob Dylan and His Band November 4th, 8pm American singer-songwriter and one of the best-selling artists of all time. He has received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, is a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, and was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. Experience him live at DPAC. 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all
Have an Important Event? We would love to hear about it. Log on to our website and send us the details. We may feature it in our next issue.
Midtown Farmers’ Market November 5th, 8am-12pm At the Midtown Farmers’ Market, we strive each Saturday to answer the ever-pressing question of, “Who’s your farmer?” As a ‘producers only’ market, vendors are only permitted to sell items which they themselves have produced. This means that the vendors at Market truly are ‘your farmers’ and that each vendor has an in-depth, working knowledge of his/her products. Main at North Hills St, Raleigh midtownfarmers.com Odd Squad Live at the DPAC November 5th, 6-9pm Attention Odd Squad fans, there is oddness in your town and Ms. O needs YOU to help solve it. Team up with brand new agents Orian and Oleanna in this
live, interactive adventure. With help from Ms. O back at headquarters, kids will put their STEM skills to the test and decode, decipher and unravel clues to stop villains like Father Time and Lady Terrible. Featuring an original script by the creators of Odd Squad and new music including songs by Soundcheck, Odd Squad: Live! is a laugh-out-loud, action-packed experience not to be missed. 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all Storybook Tales November 5th & 6th, 3pm Raleigh Dance Theatre presents Storybook Tales featuring Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly and Jonathon and the Gingery Snare. General Admission seating. Tickets available for $15 in advance, $18 at the door. 2 E South St, Raleigh raleighdance.org Bill Engvall November 6th, 7:30pm Bill Engvall is a Grammy® nominated, multi-platinum selling recording artist and one of the top comedians in the country. Come see why fans love him when he comes to DPAC. 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all Prospective Parent Information Session November 9th, 9am Prospective parent information session for The Montessori School of Raleigh – 18 months through 6th grade. 7005 Lead Mine Rd, Raleigh msr.org November Cooking Class November 9th, 4:30-6:30pm Join Chef Serge for a French cooking learning experience in a fun and relaxed environment. Includes recipes and food samplings accompanied by French wine selections. Reservations can be made by calling 919.862.2770. 6112 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh saintjacquesfrenchcuisine.com Vince Gill November 9th, 7:30pm One of the most popular singers in modern country music, Vince Gill is famous for his top-notch songwriting, worldclass guitar playing and warm, soaring tenor, all wrapped up in a quick and easy wit. Come see the multiple Grammy® Award winning Vince Gill when he returns to DPAC. 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all Green Chair Project Holiday Porch Sale Preview Party November 10th, 6-9pm Be the first to shop The Green Chair Project’s Holiday Porch fundraiser. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Furniture, home accessories, décor, and more! Doors open to the public Friday and Saturday from 10am-5pm. All proceeds help our neighbors in need. 1853 Capital Blvd, Raleigh thegreenchair.org midtownmag.com| 149
© Peter Max 2016
calendar ofevents
PETER MAX – THE RETROSPECTIVE: 1960-2016 November 11th-20th
Octonauts Live! at the dpac November 11th, 6pm For the first time ever, The Octonauts are bringing their live stage show to the US! The Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure features brand-new and fan-favorite songs from the entire crew of beloved underwater explorers. Join them as they embark on an exciting new quest through an aquatic world full of adventure, interactive opportunity, and “must-sea” surprises from coast to coast! 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all Carolina Artisan Craft Market November 11th-13th, times vary Just in time for the best holiday shopping, meet the artists and buy fine craft handmade by more than 100 artists from across North Carolina and the US Discover pottery, jewelry, sculpture, glass, wood, fiber arts (decorative, functional and wearable), furniture, mixed media, printmaking and photography.The Carolina Artisan Craft Market runs from November 11th-13th: Fri, 6-9pm; Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, 11am-5pm. Raleigh Convention Center 500 S Salisbury St, Raleigh carolinadesignercraftsmen.com/ the-market Art of the Carolinas Expo November 11th-13th, times vary 150 | midtownmag.com
The largest art supply expo in the US with three days of workshops, hands-on art product trials and wholesale-priced supplies. New this year will be an expanded palette of paint and pastel colors, printmaking tools and plates, and fabric paints and dyes. There are five new manufacturers represented this year; two of them will feature the hottest trend in printmaking and mixed media art – gel plates. Hilton, North Raleigh 3415 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh artofthecarolinas.com PETER MAX – THE RETROSPECTIVE: 1960-2016 November 11th-20th, times vary A newly-curated collection Peter Max’s paintings will be on exhibition and available for acquisition at The Mahler Fine Art, Raleigh’s premier contemporary fine art gallery. Peter Max will make three very special appearances at the gallery, and all appearances are complimentary and open to the public (with RSVP’s required). Previews begin Saturday, November 12 with a preview event on November 11th from 6-8pm. There are three scheduled Meet the Artist receptions: November 18th from 7-9pm, November 19th from 2-5pm and November 20th from 1-4pm. RSVPs are required: 919.896.7503 or info@ themahlerfineart.com. 228 Fayetteville St, Raleigh themahlerfineart.com
Ximi Jewelry Trunk Show at affordable chic shops November 12th, 10am-6pm Beautiful, exquisite line of jewelry that has been displayed in exclusive boutiques and stores like Saks Fifth Avenue in Miami, New York, Houston and Washington DC, just in time for the Christmas season! 2315 Lynn Road #106, Raleigh myraleighboutique.com The Pretenders November 13th, 7:30pm Come see the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees make their first appearance at DPAC. The Pretenders will perform songs from Alone, their first new album in eight years. Tickets can be bought on DPAC’s website or over the phone at 919.680.2787. 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all Middle and Upper School (Grades 5-12) Admissions Group Tour at St. David’s School November 16th, 9-11am Join the Admissions Office and discover what St. David’s School can offer your student! Register online for an information session and tour of our campus. 3400 White Oak Rd, Raleigh sdsw.org/admissions
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The WRAL-TV Raleigh Christmas Parade November 19th, 9:30am-12pm
Stone Soup Supper November 16th, 5:30-8:30pm Top Triangle chefs compete to win the title of Soup-erior Chef at Urban Ministries of Wake County’s 12th annual Stone Soup Supper. Funds raised from the event will be used to feed, shelter, and provide healthcare to low income individuals. For a $25 donation, guests receive unlimited bowls of artisan soups from more than 10 competing chefs and one hand-crafted piece of pottery from the Triangle Potters Guild. Guests are also encouraged to partake in the Soup-erior Chef Competition with just $1 per vote. Soup-to-Go will be available for $10 per quart by drive-thru. McKimmon Center 1101 Gorman St, Raleigh urbanmin.org/stone-soup-supper Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Dinner November 17th, 6:30pm Join Saint Jacques French Cuisine for the “Beaujolais Nouveau” Wine Dinner celebration. For reservations, please call 919.862.2770. 6112 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh saintjacquesfrenchcuisine.com Sip, Smell & Swirl With Sammy November 18th, 6:30-8pm Mark your calendars for this Free Wine Tasting with Sammy Greenway of Country Vintner. This will be an evening to Sip, Smell & Swirl with Sammy back behind the bar! 10005 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh taylorswineshop.com
The Temptations & The Four Tops November 18th, 8pm Legendary Motown originators The Temptations and the Four Tops return to DPAC. Their last two performances were sell-outs, so don’t miss the opportunity to hear their classic hits. 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all The WRAL-TV Raleigh Christmas Parade November 19th, 9:30am-12pm The 2016 WRAL Raleigh Christmas Parade presented by Shop Local Raleigh is the largest Christmas parade between Washington, DC and Atlanta. Come out to downtown Raleigh to enjoy a fun-filled day of floats, balloons, festive music and merriment. Downtown Raleigh https://goo.gl/0W4M67 Dan Nelson Live Painting Christmas Event November 19th, 10am-6pm Artist Dan Nelson will be producing custom Christmas cards on site all day at Affordable Chic, taking your ideas of subject matter, color and style, complete with your name in calligraphy, if you choose. 2315 Lynn Rd #106, Raleigh myraleighboutique.com
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calendar ofevents 21st Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration November 19th, 11am-4pm Last year’s American Indian Heritage Celebration was named a “Top 20 Event” by the Southeast Tourism Society. Musicians, dancers, artists, storytellers and authors from North Carolina’s eight state-recognized tribes will gather together for this popular family event which includes a full day of craft demonstrations, hands-on activities, games, foods, and much more. With something for all ages, this celebration is a firsthand opportunity to learn about the state’s American Indian culture, past and present. 5 E Edenton St, Raleigh ncmuseumofhistory.org/ american-indian-festival North Hills Tree Lighting November 19th, 4-8pm The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration, located in the Commons of North Hills, is a beloved holiday event. This year’s tree lighting event will feature The Legacy Motown Revue, snow slopes, trackless train rides, kids crafts and activities, a Coconut Charlie’s Bump ‘N Bounce bounce house, and a vendor village. As Santa Claus arrives at 6pm, the 41-foot Christmas Tree is lit amidst a joyous chorus of Santa Clause Is Coming to Town. Event is FREE to the public. 4321 Lassiter at North Hills Ave, Raleigh visitnorthhills.com
photograph courtesy of north hills
Hunt & Gather Seaboard Station Holiday Open House November 19th, 10am-6pm November 20th, 12-5pm Join Hunt & Gather Seaboard Station as they celebrate the season with their 7th annual Holiday Open House! Light food and refreshments will be served throughout the day. Live holiday music by the fabulous keyboardist Chris Keller. Special sales throughout the store make this a wonderful weekend of fun and shopping. Find that something special to make your holiday home simply perfect! 10 W Franklin St #100, Raleigh huntandgatherraleigh.com NCMA Presents Sights & Sounds on Sundays November 20th, 3pm Violinist Nicholas DiEugenio, pianist Mimi Solomon and cellist Hannah Collins bring a wealth of talent and achievement to the concert stage as the The Chanterelle Trio. The ensemble features selections from Beethoven, Schumann and Dvorak. 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh https://goo.gl/fbWLNk Thanksgiving Wines With Deb November 22nd, 6:30-8pm Free wine tasting! Not sure the perfect wines to serve up with the bird? Come by Taylor’s Wine Shop and taste some wines for Thanksgiving with Deb Williams of Freedom Beverage Company! 10005 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh taylorswineshop.com
Free Wine Tasting With Kelli November 23rd, 3-7pm Kelli Beck from Fine Wine Trading Company – East Region is coming back behind the bar at Taylor’s Wine Shop with some amazing wines to taste this Thanksgiving Eve! What a way to start a holiday! This is a free event, so bring your friends! 10005 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh taylorswineshop.com Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical November 25th-December 24th, times vary Come see all of your favorite characters from the special including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life in Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical. Don’t miss this wonderful holiday tradition that speaks to the misfit in all of us. Duke Energy Center 2 E South St, Raleigh https://goo.gl/Ordsfj Hip Hop Nutcracker November 26th, 7:30pm Special guest MC Kurtis Blow, one of hip hop’s founding fathers, will open The Hip Hop Nutcracker at DPAC on Saturday, November 26th. Kurtis Blow will kick off the show with a short set before rapping the introduction to the show. A timeless artist and hip-hop legend, don’t miss the opportunity to see him in this contemporary re-imagining of Tchaikovsky’s timeless music. 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all Garnish Your Growth Networking Event November 27th, 5-7pm Let Garnish help you put your best foot forward! Everyone needs a professional headshot that stands out from all of the rest. Business cards, LinkedIn, resumes and bios are just some of the places where having an award-winning visual will set you apart! We have made it easy. You are cordially invited to our “Garnish Your Growth” event to get a professional headshot, meet with our resume expert, and network with other professionals while you nibble on tasty hors d’oeuvres. We look forward to seeing you! 6400 Creedmoor Rd #101, Raleigh garnish-studio.com
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Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical November 29th-December 4th, times vary Discover the magic of Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale as it comes to life at the DPAC. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos. 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all Pre-K and K Admissions Group Tour at St. David’s School November 30th, 9-11am Join the Admissions Office and discover what St. David’s School can offer your student! Register online for an information session and tour of our campus. 3400 White Oak Rd, Raleigh sdsw.org/admissions Colonial Christmas Open House 2016 December 3rd, 11am-4pm The Joel Lane Museum House will sponsor its annual Colonial Christmas Open House celebration on Saturday, December 3rd. Admission is free, and donations are requested. The house will be decorated with traditional greenery and will reflect the very different way
in which colonists and early Americans celebrated the Christmas holiday. Information about the house and grounds will be offered by costumed docents; re-enactors will demonstrate scenes of 18th-century life; the sounds of live music will fill the air; and other interpreters will entertain children with colonial games and crafts through the “Hands-on History” program. 160 S St. Mary’s St, Raleigh joellane.org/joellane/visitor_info/events/ colonial-christmas-open-house-2016 Affordable Chic Christmas Open House December 3rd, 10am-6pm December 4th, 1-5pm There will be Christmas decor and gifts galore to get you in the holiday spirit! Please call for more information at 919.846.0676. 2315 Lynn Rd #106, Raleigh myraleighboutique.com 2016 Winter Wonderland Holiday Celebration December 4th, 4-7:30pm The Capital City Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. would like you to join them at their 2016 Winter Wonderland annual fundraising event. Please come
enjoy an evening of entertainment with artist Yolanda Rabun, take a picture with Santa and enjoy a great meal! The proceeds raised will benefit some of our national and local Wake nonprofit community partners like InterAct, the Autism Society of North Carolina, March of Dimes and United Way. 9400 Club Hill Dr, Raleigh capitalcityjackandjill.org/index.html Dream Theater December 5th, 7:30pm Performing their widely acclaimed double concept album The Astonishing in immersive and interactive settings for a unique and unparalleled live experience, Dream Theater presenting The Astonishing Live is coming to DPAC on December 5th. 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all December Cooking Class at Saint Jacques French Cuisine December 6th, 4:30-6:30pm Let Chef Serge teach you some exciting French holiday recipes. Reservations can be made by calling 919.862.2770. 6112 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh saintjacquesfrenchcuisine.com
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The Piano Guys at the dpac December 6th, 7:30pm What do you get when you mix up a marketing genius who does video, a studio engineer who writes music, a pianist who had a successful solo career, and a cellist who does pretty much everything? The Piano Guys: a miraculous meeting of “guys” with the same intrinsic purpose – to make a positive impact in the lives of people all over the world through music videos. 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all Prospective Parent Information Session December 7th, 9am Prospective parent information session for The Montessori School of Raleigh – 18 months through 6th grade. 7005 Lead Mine Rd, Raleigh msr.org Synergy North Raleigh Holiday Open House December 7th, 12-8pm Complimentary mini spa services for guests, exclusive specials on spa services and med spa treatments, bubbly, hors d’oeuvres and a lively atmosphere all day long. 8300 Health Park #229, Raleigh feelsynergy.com
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Ira David Wood III’s A Christmas Carol December 7th-11th, Raleigh, times vary December 15th-18th, Durham, times vary Theatre In The Park’s original musical comedy adaptation of A Christmas Carol, based on the book by Charles Dickens and adapted for the stage by Ira David Wood III, now in its 42nd year, has been cited as “one of the most successful shows in North Carolina theatre history” and voted one of the “top 20 events in the Southeast” by the Southeast Tourism Society. In 2010 it was voted best in the Triangle by readers of Triangle Arts and Entertainment. A Christmas Carol has become a holiday tradition in the Southeast, and has also enjoyed critically acclaimed tours to England and France. Duke Energy Center: 2 E South St, Raleigh DPAC: 123 Vivian St, Durham theatreinthepark.com/calendar/event/2 dpacnc.com/events/all Girls Night Out December 8th, 6-9pm Please join Lloyd and Lady Boutiques for a fun girls night out and shop for jewelry for the tree. 8847 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh lloydandladync.com
theatre in the Park presents The Santaland Diaries December 9th-11th, 16th-18th, times vary Crumpet the Elf relives his tale of his brief stint working at Macy’s “Santaland” attraction in New York City. The play chronicles the holiday season and is filled with charged, politically incorrect, irreverent commentaries of fellow elves, Santa’s true colors, and the raucous adults and children who come to sit on St. Nick’s lap. Not intended for children. Mature audiences only. Please check website for performance dates and times. 107 Pullen Road, Raleigh theatreinthepark.com/calendar/event/37 City Ballet Presents Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker December 9th-10th, times vary The full-length ballet features guest artists from Carolina Ballet dancing alongside over 80 children in the classic roles of Clara, party children, mice, soldiers, flowers, snowflakes, polichinelles and more. Showtimes are Friday, December 9th at 7pm and Saturday, December 10th at 11am and 3pm.The show is family friendly and open to all ages, with ticket prices $15-30. 2610 Cates Ave, Raleigh city-ballet.com/event/nutcracker
Carolina Ballet Presents The Nutcracker December 9th-11th, times vary Join Carolina Ballet as they celebrate the 15th anniversary of Carolina Ballet’s family favorite, The Nutcracker. A holiday tradition that’s perfect for the whole family, Carolina Ballet’s is the only performance of The Nutcracker in the country with illusions created by world-renowned magician, Rick Thomas. Marvel as beloved characters levitate, disappear, and reappear before your very eyes. DPAC: 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all Visits with Santa at North Hills December 11th & 17th, 1-3pm Stop by the Shepherd’s Way Christmas tree lot located off Lassiter Mill Road, behind JCPenney, to find your perfect Ashe County Christmas Tree. Santa Claus himself will be visiting the tree lot for pictures and those very important Christmas list requests. 4114-4128 Lassiter Mill Road, Raleigh visitnorthhills.com The Raleigh Ringers Holiday Concert December 17th, 3pm &7:30 pm; December 18th, 3pm The Raleigh Ringers handbell ensemble presents its annual holiday concerts at Meymandi Concert Hall. Performed with expert musicianship and a sense of levity, the classic and contemporary holiday tunes will delight concertgoers of all ages. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and the Duke Energy Center Box Office. Early bird tickets are available through the Raleigh Ringers website. 2 E South St, Raleigh rr.org/Events/Concerts Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis December 20th, 7:30pm Mannheim Steamroller will present the best the holiday has to offer this season. The group will perform live for this performance only and marks the 32nd anniversary of the Christmas tour and release of Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, an album that revolutionized the holiday season music category. DPAC: 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all Rogers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella December 30th-January 1st, times vary Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella is the Tony Award®winning Broadway musical from the creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific that’s delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. This lush production features an incredible orchestra, jaw-dropping transformations, and all the moments you love – the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more – plus some surprising new twists! DPAC: 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all New Year’s Eve Celebration at Saint Jacques French Cuisine December 30th-31st, times vary Join us on the evenings of Friday (the 30th) & Saturday (the 31st) from 5-10pm for a New Year’s Eve celebration featuring a prix fixe special menu. Reservations by phone only, 919.862.2770. 6112 Falls of Neuse Rd, Raleigh saintjacquesfrenchcuisine.com midtownmag.com| 155
midtownmingles
2016 Oyster Roast
Shuckin’ and Shaggin’ at the State Capitol for the 5th annual Oyster Roast fundaiser was a smashing success! Guests enjoyed fun, food and a lot of shag dancing to the live tunes of The Embers, featuring Craig Woolard. All proceeds from this event will benefit the educational programs and restoration projects at the Capitol. Photography by davies photography
All access with davis & pyle
Guests were introduced to plastic surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Wood, an exciting new addition to the Davis & Pyle practice. Demonstrations of microblading from A Beautiful You, makeup lessons from The Glosserie and hair tips from Salon Blu gave everyone fresh new ideas for fall. Guests also enjoyed mini manicures from Paintbar Nails and shopping with dress Raleigh and Moon & Lola.
bra day!
sip and shop at dt&co
Friends old and new gathered to have a peek at DT&CO Interiors’ latest arrivals of antiques from important estates across the US, the UK and the France. The firm also showcased its soon-to-be-released new listings and the latest fabrics from the world’s top design houses. It was quite a festive evening! 156 | midtownmag.com
Raleigh Plastic Surgery Center was a proud sponsor of B93.9’s country concert event that raised over $4,000 for BRA Day USA. Many women who have undergone a mastectomy or lumpectomy are not aware of their reconstruction options available to them. Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day helps create a better and wider global understanding of reconstruction choices and resources.
Photography by davies photography and joe reale
whiskey and Wine at Liles Clothing Studio
Liles Clothing Studio hosted a Scotch Tasting and Custom Event on the evening of September 8th. A selection of fine and rare whiskeys was imported directly from Scotland, and specialty cocktails were enjoyed by our guests. Custom wardrobing was offered by Holland & Sherry, and cloth was imported from the British Isles to be made into custom garments by the master tailors of Adrian Jules in Rochester, New York. The event also featured shoes, offered by Res Ipsa, that were made by hand in Turkey of antique Kilim rugs. On the evening of October 6th, the store held a Taste of Italy event. Guests enjoyed a very special flight of wines from throughout Italy while viewing the handmade shoes of preeminent Italian shoemaker Scarpe di Bianco, presented by the owner himself. Italy’s longest-producing tailored clothing company was also on hand to offer the finest custom-made garments. It was a lovely evening of Italian culture for guests to enjoy while staying close to home.
make a wish
Lloyd & Lady Boutiques hosted a Make A Wish event and raised over $11,000 for the charity. Silent auction items and a percentage of the night’s sales went to the foundation to help local children in need. Barbara Gibbs from WTVD-11 was the moderator and special guest for the event. midtownmag.com| 157
midtownmingles Photography by Tim Lytvinenko
2016 evening of hope
The 2016 Evening of Hope was held at the Angus Barn Pavilion on September 22nd. A sold-out crowd of 400 was on hand to hear Ashley Judd speak about her struggles with severe depression and the stigma of mental illness. The guests enjoyed a five-course meal with wine pairings prepared by Chef Walter Royal and a fun raffle, silent and live auction.
snap pea underground pop-up dinner
Snap Pea Underground hosted another one of their secret pop-up dinners, this time on the roof of a downtown Raleigh building. Guests had to climb up a ladder to get to the dinner, which consisted of a nine-course meal based on a map of downtown Raleigh. Hot food was shuttled up the ladder, before being plated on the roof right in front of guests.
montessori Ribbon Cutting
capital city bikefest
The 12th annual Capital City Bikefest gathered more than 60,000 attendees who came to enjoy the nation’s top custom bikes built by builders from across the nation, in addition to 35 bands, stunt shows and more. The event, held September 23rd-25th, in downtown Raleigh, benefited USO of North Carolina and the US Veterans Corps.
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The Montessori School of Raleigh held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for two new facilities that will house a gymnasium, administrative offices, multiuse classrooms and a fine arts complex on the Lead Mine campus.
new aroundtown
Pink Boutique Opening Second Location
Pink Boutique is opening their second retail location in Lafayette Village. Pink Boutique offers quality, boutique clothing and accessories, health and beauty products and locally made items. The collection is affordable, eclectic and distinctly Southern. The new North Raleigh store will have their grand opening event on November 12th. Check out shoppinkboutique.com for more details about the grand opening and other events at the Raleigh and Wake Forest locations this fall.
Reid’s Fine Foods Opens Raleigh Holiday Shop Charlotte-based specialty foods store Reid’s Fine Foods will open a 4,700-square foot temporary store in Cameron Village for the holiday season. Gift baskets, specialty foods, local products and prepared meals will be among the many items available for purchase. The shop will be open 10am-7pm Monday through Saturday and 12-6pm on Sunday prior to Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, the store hours will expand to 10am-8pm Monday through Thursday, 10am-9pm on Friday, 9am-9pm on Saturday and 11am-7pm on Sunday.
Peace Camera is on the Move!
After nearly two decades on Peace Street in Raleigh, Peace Camera is moving to new digs at Quail Ridge Shopping Center. The move was prompted by extensive development plans in the works for Peace and West. The new location will be light and bright, with the same charm and knowledgeable, quirky staff of the original location. The Peace Street location will be open through November. The new location at 5039 Falls of Neuse Road will be open in time for Black Friday on November 25th.
Weichert, Realtors® – Triangle Opens Second Location The opening of the Raleigh office, which specializes in residential real estate and relocation services and expanding into commercial real estate, comes on the heels of the opening of Triangle Real Estate School (TRES) earlier this year. The Cary-based real estate school and its new satellite Raleigh training facility not only caters to individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in real estate, but also offers continuing education, post-licensing classes and free Lunch ‘n Learn sessions about valuable real estate topics. Conveniently located in the Atrium Building at the intersection of Blue Ridge Road and Lake Boone Trail. 160 | midtownmag.com
Smoothie King Open in North Hills
Smoothie King has been blending fruit-based drinks since 1973. With a goal of making active lifestyles delicious and nutritious, the national chain is a vital piece to every health and fitness plan. Smoothie King not only offers a specialized product, but also helpful knowledge to help people meet their goals for healthier lifestyles.
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everydayplaces
Generic authenticity Watercolor and Text by Frank Harmon, FAIA ABOUT Everyday Places takes a close look at Raleigh’s urban fabric and its under-appreciated areas that are essential to a healthy city.
Go to a downtown Raleigh coffee shop or stand-up bar and you’ll notice large windows, scraped floors and recycled furniture. At restaurants in Asheville, you’ll sit at reclaimed wood tables and read the menu under Edison lamps. You might think you’re in the same place. We live at a time when people value the “authentic.” Coffee shops, bars, restaurants and hip workspaces often mimic the industrial workshops they’ve replaced in older parts of town, flaunting a blue-collar look for well-off hipsters. Perhaps it’s a healthy reaction to the seamless plastic interiors of McDonald’s. Or a longing to be local in a virtual, placeless world. But as Kyle
Chyka asks in The Guardian, “Industrial furniture, stripped floors and Edison bulbs: Why must we aspire to such bland monotony?” Probably because, as the philosopher Eric Hoffer observed, “When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other.” Cup A Joe on Hillsborough Street is a healthy antidote to the kind of “ubiquitous authenticity” that is showing up even at Starbucks. Cup A Joe is one-story coffee shop that looks old because it is, with beat-up chairs and a kind of gritty esthetic that can’t be replicated. Oh, and really good coffee. Online: Visit the archive at NativePlaces.org
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