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In the New River Valley, our warm and friendly staff delivers care using some of the most advanced medical and technical resources available. Our ongoing commitment to keeping you and your family well means we are here for more than just emergencies. Whether you need help managing a chronic disease such as diabetes or COPD, you need to get your yearly colonoscopy or mammogram, or you need to find a family physician or OB/GYN, Carilion Clinic’s care team can connect you to all of the services you need for better health. And it is all in your community.
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* The lowest APR (Annual Percentage Rate) offered is 3.49%, which is a variable rate, and is subject to change. All balances will be calculated at a standard variable APR as indexed to The Wall Street Journal Prime Rate (as of January 31, 2015, the Prime Rate was 3.25%), plus a margin of 0.24% for the life of the loan. Automatic deduction of payment is required from a Union checking account to obtain advertised rate. The maximum APR is 24% or maximum permitted by state law, whatever is less. This Union Bank & Trust Home Equity Line of Credit has a 20-year draw period with a final balloon payment. There is no origination fee charged to open. Other fees may be charged at origination, closing or subsequent to closing, ranging from $0 to $1,000. Offer is subject to credit approval and is based on a minimum equity line amount of $50,000 with a maximum combined loan-to-value of 80%. Applicants must possess a Beacon Score of 720 or greater. Bank must be in a valid first or subordinate lien position on the collateral. Bank will pay all closing costs for non-purchase money subordinate equity lines up to $249,999. First lien equity lines, equity lines of $250,000 or more, and subordinate equity lines used for purchase money will receive a $600 credit toward closing costs. Home Equity Lines of Credit closed within 36 months from the opening date will be charged a prepayment penalty as follows: Lines ≤ $100,000 will be charged 1.00% of the line amount. Lines > $100,000 will be charged 0.50% of the line amount. Property insurance and flood insurance, where applicable, will be required. This offer is limited to primary and secondary, single-family residential real property located in Virginia. Please consult a tax advisor regarding interest deductibility. Certain conditions and restrictions may apply. © Union Bankshares Corporation 2/2015
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ARE YOU READY TO GIVE BIG?
4.22.15
2nd Annual GiveBigNRV Giving Day Make a secure online gift on April 22nd directly to any of the 80 charities on the GiveBigNRV website and help that charity win a grant from the Community Foundation. Or, support multiple causes like hunger relief, education, the arts and the environment with a single gift to The Fund for the NRV! Visit the site to browse causes, make a gift, or promote your business by becoming a giving day sponsor.
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Give to your community. Give to make an impact. Give Big.
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CONTENTS
March - April
2015
10 40 10
T he K itchen Reno
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W ha t to D IY and not t o D IY
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T he S to ne Age
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VA M as ter N at uralist
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NRVHBA
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NRV Rides: Goldwing
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B l ac k H e n Re s t au r a n t
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C l e ar i n g C u s t o m s : A ca p u l co
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G ar de n i n g : B u l bs
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Re al E s t at e Mar ke t Rep or t
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B ac k yar d C h i c ke n s
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Made i n t h e N R V
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Bank where you live. Experience the beauty of local banking. Banking local is about doing business with friendly people you can trust. It’s the security of keeping your money close to home, with a bank that’s from the same place you are. It’s the comfort of knowing that while others may come and go, your bank will be right here when you need them. That’s the beauty of NewRiver Bank.
Expect More.
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2950 Market St., Christiansburg newriverbankva.com Member FDIC
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P. O. Box 11816 Blacksburg, VA 24062 o: 540-961-2015 nrvmagazine@msn.com www.nrvmagazine.com
PUBLISHER Country Media, Inc. Phillip Vaught MANAGING EDITOR Joanne Anderson ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Sabrina Chambers DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Dennis Shelor WRITERS Joanne Anderson Karl Kazaks Krisha Chachra Lesley Howard Sheila Nelson Kelli Scott Justin Ashwell Jordan Scott Emily Alberts Angie Clevinger Jennifer Cooper PHOTOGRAPHERS Natalie Gibbs Photography Amodeo Photography Shanen Photography Nathan Cooke Laura’s Focus Photography Forever and Always Photography Magnifico Photography
© 2015 Country Media, Inc. Country Media, Inc. will not knowingly publish any advertisement that is illegal or misleading to its readers. Neither the advertiser nor Country Media, Inc. will be responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, or typographical errors. The publisher assumes no financial liability for copy omissions by Country Media, Inc. other than the cost of the space occupied by the error. Corrections or cancellations to be made by an advertiser shall be received no later than 5 p.m. the 20th of each publishing month. No claim shall be allowed for errors not affecting the value of the advertisement. Paid advertising does not represent an endorsement by this publication. Content cannot be reproduced without written consent from Country Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Real Estate advertised in this publication is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968.
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Pasture Talk Just so you know that I practice what I preach, I popped into Moda Designs in Pembroke in late January because I saw their ad in the NovDec issue. It’s a charming, eclectic shop with antiques, Fiesta Ware seconds that look like new, some gourmet food (like the crab dip kit I purchased) and lots and lots of interesting stuff. “It’s all priced to sell, so we don’t have to dust it,” quipped owner Kim Wasiak. Meeting Jeni Benos farther out in Giles County brought home once again how much talent lives in the New River Valley. Last issue it was handcrafted, vintage microphones on a back road in Willis. A couple years ago, we profiled the banjo maker with a three-year waiting list. This time, here’s a super-skilled jeweler and silversmith with a patent, an antique machine and a multitude of unique designs and processes. On Feb. 18, Andrew Witter posted on Facebook that it was National Drink Wine Day. I replied I was waiting for 4 p.m., forgetting I’d be at a photo shoot at The Black Hen Restaurant in Blacksburg at 2:00. I am not an adventurous eater, and initially I and the photographer, Shannon Ainsley, politely declined Chef Cunninghame’s offer of the raw ahi tuna she had just photographed. He put some on a fork, and she relented. “It’s delicious,” she said, as he forked another piece and headed it my way. Oh my, it was tasty, and I’m still not sure my husband believes I ate it. And smiled. There was, however, no hesitation on the red wine or the phenomenal caramelized banana-chocolate lava cake Jimmy Becker made for the photo shoot. He also prepared the ahi tuna plate, which you can see on page 30. Becker simply loves food art, and he excels at it. The rose on the plate is tuna. Clever. Executive chef Cunninghame was busy mopping the floors -- entrepreneurial kind of stuff. He wears more than a chef hat being the business owner with his wife, Linda, who was snowed in at home. Ah, that third week of February was delightful. What’s the point of a winter sans la neige? The ponies napped often in the snow, and I let them into the barn a couple nights. I fed them extra hay, while I drank more hot chai with whipped cream than usual. It’s unlikely there’s snow while you read this, and March is ushering in another wondrous New River Valley spring of crocuses, early hiking, horseback riding (finally!), rhubarb, cherry blossoms and baseball. It’s a nice time of year, and the NRV is a sweet place to experience it.
Joanne Anderson
ManagingEditor
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DIY - Kitchen Renovation on a Budget $6,000 and some sweat equity Text by Joanne Anderson Photos by Natalie Gibbs Photography
Before Being from Vermont and my husband from Wisconsin, we were somewhat enamored with the stencil cows in the kitchen when we purchased this house, one of the first built by Shelter Alternatives in 1990, give or take a year. The previous owner apparently loved stenciling as not only the kitchen, but also four other rooms, had stencil work. After five or six years, however, the cows started to lose their appeal. They never moved or mooed, but coupled with the stationary sink faucet, dings and stains on the laminate countertops and an annoying double hung window whose top dropped a couple inches every time it was opened, the idea of a kitchen renovation grew more 10
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attractive. We are do-it-yourselfers for almost everything -- a practical combination of budget constraints and being married to someone who is skilled, capable and willing to do almost anything. John designed our beautiful barn, calling out every nut, bolt, board and hinge, ordered the wood to dry for 10 months, then built it over the next nine months. But, that’s another story. Once we started pricing kitchen countertops, backsplash materials, new window, sink, faucet, light fixture and appliances, we immediately abandoned new appliances. The Yankee practicality comes through on the premise that “if it
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ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” They all work, so buying shiny, new things for the sake of it didn’t fit in any budget. I like the oak cupboards and brushed nickel knobs, so they could stay. We had replaced the two ceiling lights over the stove with drop pendant lamps a few years ago, so I thought a similar hanging lamp over the table would blend much better than the brown, stained glass, ceiling fan-light combo (which found its way, along with other stuff, to the ReStore). The new window was a no-brainer. The double hung top part fell a couple inches (all of them in this house do that), so to close the window always entailed getting a stepladder from the garage, standing in the
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Before
After
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sink and pushing the top up and latching it. For someone who loves fresh air as much as I do, this gets old quickly. Even though my husband grew up on a potato farm in central Wisconsin, he has a sense of style, and early on, he determined we should go with black countertops. We ordered a Silestone® product from Home Depot, which, in case you don’t know, is staffed with knowledgeable, helpful Interior Designers. I would not recommend black Silestone® for the imperfections that run through it that you don’t see on the little store sample. Perhaps lighter colors don’t show the splotches as much as black. National Window in Christiansburg supplied and installed the casement window, which has at least 30 percent more glass. It’s Energy Star-rated (think: tax credit) and is very easy to open and close. There’s even a little windowsill. Electrical Supply in Cambria has many cool ceiling fixtures and lots of books of lighting products from which they can order. The glass pendants on the one I purchased are identical in texture to the pendants over the stove, if not precisely the same shape. The most challenging aspect was the backsplash, both for design and 12
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Painting: Hall, kitchen, dining area (hired labor) $400 Paint: Hall, kitchen, dining area (materials) $140 Window: (includes removal and installation) $800 Countertops: (includes new sink and removal/installation) $3,600 Light fixture over table: $100 Backsplash materials: $700 Sink faucet: $150 Fabric: (John re-covered kitchen chair seats) $57 Husband’s labor: Priceless Total: $5,947
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installation. I wanted brick, but not red, and when we got all ready to install it, we had one-half inch of vertical space to spare. Remembering the skinny, black, porcelain strips at Lowe’s, we took off just before mixing the glue part and bought all they had. In hindsight, I think the black strip about two-thirds of the way up the gray brick makes the whole kitchen. Any home renovation project, big or small, DIY or not, is really sweet ~ once it’s over. Anyone who has ever embarked on renovation and home improvement projects knows there’s much more to the process than the glossy HGTV shows imply. Whole house designer Kathi Fleck of Lone Star Property Solutions has written Renovate, Remodel ... Relax, a 130-page, large format, soft cover book which can lead you step by step through the process from concept to planning, budgets, contractors and contracts, managing upsets and change orders and having a “relax” component throughout the project. With a subtitle of “Take Your Home Improvement from How to Wow”, this is a valuable resource for the newbie or well-seasoned homeowner. Available from amazon.com or kathifleck.com.
2015
HOME IS . . .
where your imagination can run wild.
Let’s make your dreams a reality. JEREMY HART
400 N. Main Street, Blacksburg, VA
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Associate Broker Jeremy@NRVLiving.com 540.998.4731 NRVLiving.com NestRealty.com
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To DIY
or Not To DIY
By Jennifer Poff Cooper Between You Tube videos and workshops at local home improvement stores, the highly motivated, budgetconscious homeowner can learn to tackle projects from repairing drywall to installing toilets. But which home improvement tasks are good do-it-yourself (DIY) projects for the hardly skilled? The super skilled? The willing learner? And which ones are best left to the professionals? That’s a fine line. There are hundreds of things any DIY customers can do, such as flooring installations, simple kitchen and bath updates, landscaping or exterior improvements and painting. On the far extreme, some DIY homeowners act as general contractors on every construction project and home renovation, big or small. Yet there are caveats. DIY 14
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customers must be aware of what building codes apply and be certain they are meeting code when doing home improvements. “The rules are strict and aggressively enforced, so be prepared,” warns Paul Ewing, founder and head of Ewing Building and Remodeling in Blacksburg. Though this can seem like an additional challenge, building officials help ensure that the project is done safely. Do-it-yourselfers should do their homework and feel fully versed in the processes for success and avoid doing things that ultimately cause damage to their homes, like leaks from improperly installed bathroom vanities or showers. Ed Tuchler, owner and manager of Shelter Alternatives in Blacksburg, recommends Fine Homebuilding and Journal of Light Construction as two builder magazine sites
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that offer how-to videos. Ewing cautions that while online videos can be helpful, some leave out small but critical pieces of information. “One of the best sources of information is talking to skilled people, most of whom are more than happy to help,” he says. The easiest projects for a doit-yourselfer are likely to be cosmetic things,” says Tuchler. “Painting is an obvious starting point as it is pretty straight-forward, and you can get good advice at your local paint store. With any DIY project, it is good to know what the options are and painting is no exception, as products continue to evolve.” Still, it may not be as easy as it looks. “Everyone believes they can paint. It’s true, but it requires knowledge and skill to do a really good job,” says Ewing.
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He, too, recommends getting advice from a professional. As with most DIY work, “the job has to be done correctly or you must live with the result or pay to have it redone.” More complicated tasks may best be left to licensed professionals. “For systems integral to the safety and durability of a home, it is important to follow codes and best practices,” Tuchler explains. Structural changes, plumbing and electrical are main areas that require care. “Many homeowners should not attempt electrical repairs beyond changing a light bulb. If, however, you have a basic understanding of home electrical systems, it is safe to change light fixtures or vent fans,” states Ewing. As Tuchler cautions: “One wire that is a little bit loose can cause dangerous sparking.” Many home improvement tasks are dependent on the skill level and interest of the individual. Local homeowner Wes Fenton has undertaken a number of DIY projects. He stresses that a do-it-yourselfer should enjoy the process. He likes to figure things out on his own by looking at diagrams online, and his handy father and uncle are available to assist, making them fun family endeavors. NRVMAGAZINE.com
Fenton added a pergola to his back porch for shade and an attractive enhancement to the house. He decided to plan and construct the pergola himself after pricing kits at $1,800, which blew his $800 budget. By studying photos online, Fenton drew his own blueprint. As a drafting and design professional, he had the advantage of using Auto-CAD (computer aided design) at work. He plugged in the dimensions and was able to determine the materials needed. In the end, the project took one weekend and cost $735. The Fentons recently purchased a fixer-upper house built in 1897. In this case, Fenton will let the professionals handle most of the job. He does not feel qualified to do a full remodel, and a stipulation of their renovation loan is that a licensed contractor perform the work. When deciding whether to do home improvements himself, Fenton considers several issues. First, he asks, is this something I’ve done before? The size of the job is also key. According to Tuchler: “Though one can usually save money by doing things themselves, the investment of time and tools may not be worth it.” There is also the time factor.
A professional can typically come in and get the job done much more quickly, minimizing disruption in a home. “Combine what you learn with some common sense, and it should work out,” says Ewing. Still, it is important to know when to ask for help. “In most cases, the better, faster job will be done by a professional. They do it every day, have the most knowledge, and make it look easy.” Jennifer Poff Cooper is a Christiansburg freelance writer.
Trending DIY Projects on HomeDepot.com • How to install ceramic or porcelain floor tile • Affordable bath updates • Wall-mounting a flat screen TV • Sheds and outdoor storage buildings • Must-have tools for every homeowner • Chandeliers
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The Stone Age
Photo courtesy of M-Rock Stone Manufacturing
Story by Sheila D. Nelson “There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort,� Jane Austen once wrote. Home is where we want to be at the end of the work day or even for the budgetconscious, relaxing and fun staycation. Most people seem to agree with this sentiment and attempt to make their homes relaxing, pleasant places. This is what makes the home improvement industry such a viable one. Even during periods of economic recession, homeowners continue to invest in maintaining and even upgrading their properties. 18
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One growing trend in home improvement is stone and rock, the real stuff for its timeless appeal and durability, and manufactured rock for its cost, weight and ease of installation for the DIY-inclined. These materials can be used to enhance any size and style of home. In addition to paths, walkways and hardscaping, stone is popular in retaining walls, patios, fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, grilling stations and swimming pools. Kitchen islands, fireplaces and a wide range of other enhancements may be made
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inside the home. Natural and manufactured stone and rock materials include cultured stone, Cumberland Valley stone, field stone, flagstone, Giles County stone, granite, limestone, river rock, marble, quartz, sandstone and soapstone. Random or symmetrical patterns may be used to create the effect that perfectly complements the surrounding decor. Stone and rock materials not only have a timeless look, but they can last for decades. Improvements using these materials likely will increase
2015
Debra Chase REALTOR®, ABR, GRI, CIPS
2014 SALES AGENT OF THE YEAR
cell 540.449.4481 office 540.552.6500 fax 866.913.5058 debra@debrachase.com I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR REALTOR®
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the value of the property, so the return on investment is considerable. David Conroy of Stone Age Masonry in Pilot has been doing real stone masonry from design to install for 30 years. During recession years, there was always a demand for his work, and 2015 was booked into May early in the year. “The art of building a stone fireplace will always have a demand from homeowners building their dream house. Nothing outlasts stone, and what we build stands for generations.” Darren “Joe” Lucas has been serving the New River Valley and surrounding areas for 20 years out of his Pulaski business. “At Virginia Stone and Brick, we believe that you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” he explains. “Our work is not a job for us – it is our passion, and manufactured stone is our strong point. We have diversified our portfolio of products and services, which has greatly expanded our business. We sell products and offer an installation option.”
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Stone can be used to enhance curb appeal, that ubiquitous first impression Joe Lucas talks about, in terms of front steps, walkways, borders, columns and exterior facade accents. The rustic appeal of stone softens even the most traditional or contemporary of styles. Exterior chimneys that hug one end of a home make a stunning statement. Interior rock and stone accents can be used functionally and creatively in many spaces like: • man cave • wine cellar • kitchen backsplash • center island “walls” • around soaking tub • fireplace • bathroom walls • corner wall and hearth behind woodstove • stone veneer over brick • irregular stone slab coffee table • accent wall
There are home projects using stone and rock to fit every taste, style and budget, including the cozy condo and tasteful townhouse. “Stone and rock add an aura of prestige to any structure,” says Matt Mann of M-Rock. “The natural beauty of the American landscape can easily be incorporated into your exterior and inside decor.” All the NRV stone professionals can move your project from idea to reality. Whether you are looking for assistance in designing a dream home or improving the one you already have, consider the elements of natural stone or rock. The real Stone Age, that prehistoric period lasting some 3 million years, may not have used stone for accent pieces, but they certainly knew the value of it for strength, function and beauty. We can embrace those qualities today. Sheila D. Nelson is a freelance writer and lifelong resident of Pulaski County.
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Virginia Master Naturalist Text by Jennifer Poff Cooper Photos by John Copeland
Lucy Copeland always wanted to learn more about “weather, birds, bugs and dirt,” but being self-employed with three children, she never had the time. When her nest became empty, she took the plunge and enrolled in the Virginia Master Naturalist Program, a statewide corps of volunteers providing education, outreach and service. Naturalists are dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. People in the Master Naturalist Program sometimes pursue traditional outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and boating, and others are more engaged in birding, native plant restoration and environmental education. Lucy was well-acquainted with the program because her husband helped establish the New River Valley chapter. John Copeland, an aquatic biologist for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, learned about this program in 2006 from Jeff Kirwan, a retired forestry 22
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extension professor at Virginia Tech who helped bring the program to Virginia. John has served as the Chapter Advisor, connecting volunteers with appropriate agencies and ensuring the chapter complies with program requirements. The Master Naturalist Program dovetails nicely with John’s day job, given his keen interest in ecology. While it is akin to the Master Gardener program because of its roots in the Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Master Naturalist program differs because of its focus on public lands and sponsorship by six agencies. New River Valley Chapter President Shannon Ritter explains: “We have a great deal of overlap between our membership and Master Gardeners, as well as New River Valley Bird Club and Virginia Native Plant Society.” The certification sequence starts with taking a weekly, semester-long class, then doing 40 hours of volunteer work followed by eight hours of advanced
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training. While it sounds daunting, Shannon says it’s really not. “We have so many projects. You can contribute a small amount of time each month or get involved on a few full day projects.” The Virginia Master Naturalist program is composed of 29 semiindependent, locally focused chapters. The New River Valley chapter works in myriad ways. There are people who like native plant restoration, so they control invasive plants in Virginia Tech’s Stadium Woods and along the Huckleberry Trail. Others are interested in water quality, and they monitor local streams. People inclined to education and outreach work with Junior Naturalist Clubs in elementary schools and help staff the Claytor Lake State Park Discovery Center. Finally, the chapter has members who enjoy resource stewardship, and they participate in New River cleanups and similar renewal projects. Reasons that people join Master Naturalists vary. Like many, Lucy enjoys
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being outdoors and also resonates to the idea of taking care of the environment, as well as helping her community. Some folks join for career networking opportunities. One member is a lawyer interested in learning more about environmental law. Others desire to know more about how to better manage their own properties, such as eradicating an invasive plant species or protecting portions that might be deemed wetlands. While many volunteers are retired or close to retirement, certification for college students is one more point they can add to their résumés, particularly if they are studying ecology, biology or natural resources. Last fall, Lucy and John began the coursework together. “I decided to take the chapter’s training course with my wife to learn more about topics outside my expertise and work alongside our chapter members on volunteer projects,” he explains. Currently in the volunteer stage, Lucy has chosen to adopt a plot of flowers at Pandapas Pond. She weeds and keeps the plants alive, which suits her fine. “I like playing in the dirt,” she says. For John, his favorite aspect is meeting people from all walks of life who want to leave this world a better place for future generations. Lucy has appreciated the fun learning environment. She has NRVMAGAZINE.com
been surprised to learn how easy it is to be a good steward. “There is a lot of damage done to the environment that doesn’t take a whole lot to remedy,” she observes. Folks along the Huckleberry Trail may stop to thank teams for the work they do, Shannon relates, but for her, connecting with nature is the highlight. “After a day walking or working with other Master Naturalists, I come home and think what a great day. When I’m out there, I don’t think about work or problems of the world.” John sums up: “If you want to help conserve the natural world and teach others about the natural wonders surrounding them, this is a great program.” Jennifer Poff Cooper is a Christiansburg freelance writer.
Interested Virginians become Master Naturalists through training and volunteer service. In a year or less, you will: Collect a firm understanding of natural sciences in the context of Virginia’s ecological systems, deepen strong, foundational knowledge through advanced training and experience, then extend that knowledge to the community through volunteer service.
To begin your journey, follow these simple steps: • STEP 1: Inform your local chapter of your interest in becoming a Virginia Master Naturalist. Contact New River Valley Chapter President Shannon Ritter at sjritter@ vt.edu. • STEP 2: Take a 40-hour basic training course offered by your local chapter. The dates are not final but the next class will likely begin in mid-summer and continue through the fall. The cost of the course varies; the fall session was $200 ($185 for students). Scholarships may be available. • STEP 3: Complete 40 hours of volunteer service in citizen science, stewardship, environmental education or chapter administration within one year of completing the basic training course. • STEP 4: Complete 8 hours of continuing education in an area of your choosing within one year following completion of the basic training course. • STEP 5: Following initial certification, volunteers maintain certification with 40 hours of volunteer service and eight hours of continuing education each year. Next class begins in July.
www.tinyurl.com/NRVnaturalists
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New River Valley Homebuilders Association
Who are They?
They are: • dedicated to homeownership for everyone • connected to the building industry • concerned about local communities • skilled • educated • thoughtful • generous • innovative • honest • compassionate • dedicated professionals • fun • construction and renovation specialists. They are members of the New River Valley Homebuilders Association, and if you can dream it, they can build it or renovate it. They care about their work, 24
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their neighbors and NRV communities. They are the best of the best when it comes to homebuilding and renovation. Every year, several members are recognized for outstanding work, and last year’s plaques and congratulations went to a slate of accomplished women in the industry: • Builder of the Year: Snyder and Associates, Georgia Anne Snyder Falkinham • Design Excellence: Ewing Building and Remodeling , Adriana Stevers and Sara Carr • Associate of the Year: National Property Inspections, Lynn Gregory • Community Service Award: Village Trim , Barbara and Jorge Newton
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Association Service Award: New York Life Insurance, Ashley Montjoy Johnny Haynes Memorial Award: Shelia Stump, Ewing Building and Remodeling
As the years march on, many receive these prestigious awards, and all are active in community charities and fund-raisers while balancing work, families, neighbors and pursuing higher standards and staying informed on myriad building techniques, new materials, zoning regulations, building codes and industry advancements. Because They are here, We are lucky.
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CRUISING: TALE OF A HONDA GOLDWING TRIKE
Text by Karl H. Kazaks Photos by Nathan Cooke Don and Chris were meeting one another for the first time for breakfast at Mabry Mill in late spring of 2012. He rode from North Carolina on his 1800cc Honda Goldwing, which had a comfortable passenger seat and an extra helmet. It was raining, and he sort of figured that Chris wouldn’t want to go out on the bike. After breakfast, she asked: “Are you going to take me for a ride or what?” So they rode up and down the parkway. “That was our first date,” Chris smiles. They got married the following spring and moved on to a different Honda Goldwing, a pearl white 2008 model that has been 26
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converted to a tricycle. Goldwing trike conversion kits are only available aftermarket. Even though the makeover was done independently, the integration of the new rear end was done seamlessly. The Noels’ three-wheeled Goldwing looks like it could have ridden off the factory floor that way. It’s only when you peek under the bike that you can notice some of the parts aren’t original. The trike’s rear end, according to Don, is from Ford. Don bought the trike a year ago, finding it on the Internet with only 11,000 miles. It’s fitted with about every
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option: satellite navigation, a cold weather comfort package with a foot warming system which directs air over riders’ feet and a premium audio system, which can be piped over the motorcycle’s speakers or through a helmet intercom system. It also has a CB radio, which Don loves using to communicate with truckers, as he himself holds a commercial driver’s license. The bike even has a cup holder. The 1800cc bike has a full array of illumination, including the Ring of Fire light kit, which attaches to the front rotor covers and emits various colored lights. The bike also has a multi-colored
2015
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underglow package and an instrument panel also equipped with lighting for most environments. Several air management accessories make for comfortable riding. A tall windshield, wide front fairings, and side windscreen air deflectors (which can be adjusted to direct air toward or away from the riders, depending on preference) permit the Noels to ride on an Interstate highway without being whipped by wind. In fact, at Interstate speeds, the bike even deflects rain. Last year, as Don rode through a storm on I-81, thanks to the bike’s various air management parts, he didn’t get wet going about 65 mph. Don has had motorcycles all his life, starting with a 1968 Honda 305 when he was 16. His next bike was a 1970 Suzuki 500 two-stroke, which he sold when he shipped to Vietnam. While overseas, Don served in an airmobile field artillery unit which operated a towed 155mm howitzer. It shot 105 pound shells, and not being self-propelled, it was a challenge to maneuver. “Its nickname was 28
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the pig,” Don remembers. When he returned home, Don bought another Suzuki 500 two-stroke, then a 750cc four-stroke, four-cylinder Suzuki. “That was quite the sports bike. It sounded like a sports car going down the road.” Over the years he moved on to other bikes, including a 1000cc Honda Shadow and a 1500cc Kawaski Vulcan. “The bikes kept getting bigger,” he says, though none bigger than the 1800cc Goldwings, which weigh in at about 1,000 pounds. Some lifelong bikers move to trikes when their knees weaken, and they can’t hold up the bike at a stop. That’s precisely why the original owner of the Noels’ current bike converted it to a trike. After a knee replacement, he could ride two-wheelers again, which is why he sold it to Don. “My knees still work fine,” states Don, who describes himself as shortstatured. “They’re just built too close to the ground.” One day, while riding with Chris
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and on the two-wheeled Goldwing, he came to a stop and put his feet down. It was right where the road had a depression in it, however, and his foot kept going down. So did the bike. Neither Don nor Chris was hurt, and thanks to engine guards, the bike’s fiberglass wasn’t damaged. “The Japanese are very smart in their design and engineering,” Don observes. That incident led Don to consider a trike. Riding a three-wheeled motorcycle is different than riding a twowheeled bike. In curves, “you’re steering more than leaning. It’s a whole different ball game,” he explains. Also, when you get to a stop, you don’t have to put your feet down. “It’s the greatest thing. “ “It’s a good solution,” Chris adds. “We didn’t want to give up riding.” The couple enjoys riding scenic roads in the New River Valley, and, of course, the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Goldwing is so comfortable “you could ride forever. You just go. It’s called cruising.”
2015
Who said there’s no such thing as
a free ride? Virginia Tech students and employees ride free on Blacksburg Transit’s commuter routes. With convenient stops between Christiansburg, Virginia Tech and Blacksburg, BT makes your daily commute carefree and well, cost-free, too. Visit BTransit.org or call 540-961-1185 for details today.
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The Black Hen Restaurant and Bar Blue Text by Joanne M. Anderson Photos by Always and Forever Photo
To every thing there is a season ...... . . . and this is the season of fine dining in downtown Blacksburg, along with the season of independence and entrepreneurship for chef-couple Cunninghame and Linda West. Giles County native and once-again resident Cunninghame carries into town a storied career of culinary innovation at acclaimed restaurants with beaucoup stars in Seattle, Houston, San Francisco NRVMAGAZINE.com
and Las Vegas. Hailing from Seattle, Linda graduated from the London Cordon Bleu and also worked at top restaurants in big cities. About 10 years ago, the Wests moved to Giles County and opened The Bank Restaurant in Pearisburg. After four years, Cunninghame was enticed by a former boss to resume an executive chef position at Hotel Derek
and Piero Selvaggio’s Valentino and Vin Bar in Houston. “It’s hard to go back to corporate after being independent,” Linda says. And the quiet, country lifestyle of Giles County and the New River Valley still beckoned as the best place to raise their young family. “We knew that now the time was ripe not only for our own restaurant, but also for downtown Blacksburg,” they
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explain. “We walked the streets looking for the right place, the right building, the ambiance we knew we could create, and this Jackson Street address just hit the spot.” Opening a restaurant is not a quick endeavor, however. Between meeting building codes and restaurant regulations, there are myriad equipment and organization decisions. Executive chef Cunninghame, and pastry chef Linda each have specific requirements for their work 32
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spaces and equipment. And that’s before the dining room decor, tables, chairs, dishes, silverware and name. “I always thought I’d name our own restaurant for a yellow door, but that simply didn’t work well here,” Linda relates. “We were tossing around names sitting in our home kitchen when our eyes landed on the wrought iron shelf with black hens. That’s it, we exclaimed: The Black Hen Restaurant and Bar Blue.” The simple black and white
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decor exudes a clean, contemporary atmosphere tempered with rustic wood table tops and seating for up to 40. Bar Blue sports six bar stools and four small bar height tables. At first, there was a bar menu, but demand for dinner has been so strong since their late August opening that the bar area has been taken over by full dinner dining. In warm months, patio tables with apple green umbrellas will provide another 30 seats on this quiet,
2015
downtown, one-way street. “We plan to bring back a shorter bar-style menu with small plate options such as crab cakes, seared ahi tuna, roasted Portobello mushrooms and our very popular cheese “slate” sampler for patrons not totally committed to a full dinner,” Cunninghame explains. In the meantime, it’s the perfect dinner spot for innovative cuisine like Sautéed Faroe Island Salmon or Organic Tofu with black rice, assorted vegetables, soy glaze and cilantro, alongside standard favorites such as Angus Flat Iron Steak, or Pan Roasted Filet Mignon or Maple Leaf Farm Duck Breast. There’s a nod to gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and lactoseintolerant for appetizers and entrees, as well. Fine wine and beer choices are abundant, and saving room for dessert is practically imperative. Linda’s pastry creations have been lauded in Bon Appetit Magazine as being “the jackpot at this [MGM] restaurant,” referring at the time to Michael Mina’s Sea Blue Restaurant at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Speaking from experience, indeed, her desserts are divine. Both Cunninghame and Linda are highly trained, skilled, experienced and creative, and that makes The Black Hen Restaurant and Bar Blue one of the finest dining experiences to come to the New River Valley. Welcome home, chefs! Black Hen Restaurant and Bar Blue 126 Jackson Street, Blacksburg www.theblackhenrestaurant.com Tues-Sat. 5 p.m. to close
Spring is on it’s way! EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Giles
Mobile Check Deposit SECURELY DEPOSIT CHECKS FROM ANYWHERE, ANYTIME USING YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET. TO LEARN M ORE, VISIT
www.gilescounty.org/News
COUNTY|VIRGINIA
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LOCALFIRSTBANK.COM/DIGITALBANKING The First Bank App is supported on Apple mobile devices with iOS 5 and greater and on Android mobile devices with OS 3.0 and greater. There is no charge from First Bank for mobile check deposit, but message and data rates may apply. Mobile Deposits are subject to daily and monthly dollar limits. Equal Housing Lender | Member FDIC. First Bank operates as First Bank of Virgina in Virgina.
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CLEAR I N G C US T OM S
FUN IN ACAPULCO
hra Krisha Chac y b o t o h P Story and
F
For those of you who are Elvis fans, you might have seen the 1963 musical comedy film “Fun in Acapulco”. You know, the one where Elvis gets a job as a singer and a lifeguard in a hotel in Acapulco, Mexico? Well, several years ago, my mom remembered the lead single from the movie, “Bossa Nova Baby!” and there was no turning back – we were going to have our own vacation fun in Acapulco! Playa Condesa is probably the most crowded and well-known beach in the city on the Acapulco Bay (Santa Lucia) side. The beach attracts many food and handicraft vendors. Bring your bargaining skills, along with your pesos and broken Spanish to get the best price. Sometimes you can even haggle for beach chairs and umbrellas. Ask the fellow renting if that’s the best price, then say what you’re willing to pay for the whole day. Most likely you’ll strike a deal worth watching all day beach drama unfold in front of the backdrop of the calming Pacific Ocean. One of the most remarkable peddlers was a man selling fresh, whole mangoes. The juicy fruit, peel off, was sliced like a tulip with a stick in the place 34
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of a stem. Hot chili powder was sprinkled on top giving the mango an enticing burst. I believe the other tourists along the beach were seduced by the fruit, too – my mom, an immigrant from India, eagerly bought one. She, however, refused to share, warning us that our “American stomachs” probably couldn’t handle any bacteria that might be left over from washing and preparation. She was right; several tourists complained that their loved ones got “Montezuma’s Revenge” after eating food sold on the beach. There are other activities, besides eating, that are less dangerous – well, depending on if you’re a participant or a spectator. My brother and I decided to parasail – the water activity where they strap you to a parachute and pull you over the ocean with a long cord attached to a speedboat. My mom was hesitant to leave us at the mercy of an overly-eager, Mexican fast-talker who convinced us it was totally safe and very fun. My brother and I were insistent, but as we sailed over the ocean, the wind changed, and we realized my mom’s concern. We skimmed over the beach and clearly drifted closer to
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hotel buildings than water. Although we were thrilled, my mom swore she wouldn’t let us do that again. Perhaps parasailing would be less risky further down the beach at Playa Icacos. This strip of sand is the largest beach and home to a recreation area and all the same water sports -- minus the vendors and crowds. No trip to Acapulco would be complete without that famous scene in the Elvis movie when he performs a death-defying dive off the huge cliff of La Quebrada. The famous cliff divers of Le Quebrada are celebrities themselves and completely worth the price of admission. Since 1934, they have leapt from 148-foot jagged cliffs into deep water, fearless and unguarded. The show usually takes place in the afternoon when the tide comes in, but sometimes divers leap at dusk which makes watching even more nail-biting. It might not be Elvis successfully landing in the water, but the experience you witness is equally as legendary. Krisha Chachra is Vice Mayor of the Town of Blacksburg, a world traveler, and a regular columnist and author.
2015
Rhonda Vincent and the Rage
NRCC, Edwards Hall, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 25
Tickets on sale 8:00 a.m., Monday, March 16 $25 advance general admission, $30 reserved* and at the door
N EW RIVER Community College NRVMAGAZINE.com
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Ga rdeni n g
Brighten Your Indoor Space with Bulbs By Kelli Scott The winter was mild compared to recent years though cold weather is lingering some days as we gear up for spring. Mother Nature will cooperate soon enough, but the season can be encouraged with flowers that can easily be “forced” into an early display. Bulb gardening allows the colors and fragrance of spring to fill your home or office before you might see something popping up outside. Many of the plants we call “bulbs” are technically a mix of botanical storage tissues, including true bulbs, corms, tubers, tuberous roots and rhizomes. The most common and recognizable spring blooming bulbs are crocus, daffodils, hyacinth and the ever popular tulip. But, bulbs are not limited to only spring bloomers. There are many summer bulbs, such as gladiolus, dahlia, amaryllis and even foliar plants like elephant ears. All of these plants can be “forced” to grow and bloom out of their natural season.
If you want some color indoors now for which you didn’t prepare last fall, you can purchase “pre-chilled” bulbs. Look on the plant package or in descriptions of your favorite bulb catalog or home improvement and garden stores to see the varieties available “pre-chilled” from the nursery. Many of these bulbs can be planted solo or in a combination in a container for an indoor display. In some cases, you do not even need soil….a glass container, rocks and water will support flower growth. Once you fall in love with bulb flowers, you can plan ahead for fall. It is very important that you choose high quality bulbs, which are hard, firm, free of bruises or blemishes, with intact skins. Many bulbs need to be chilled in a cool, dark location (40*F) for 12-16 weeks, when can be done in the ground. Then to be forced, the bulbs need to be potted in a
An example of a “bulb lasagna” where different types of bulbs are planted in layers in a container with potting media. This can be achieved with bulbs planted in the fall of the year and allowed to chill or with “pre-chilled” bulbs. In the pot are tall daffodils, purple hyacinth, tulips, and crocus on top. Plant the tallest bulbs at the bottom and the shortest at the top of the container. Make sure the round bottoms are facing down and the points are upwards.
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container with a soil-less potting media. Bulbs should be planted tightly in a container, with the round bottoms facing down and the tips pointed upward. The potting media should just cover the bulbs. Water the container well and store in a cool, dry location like a garage or refrigerator for 6 weeks while roots develop. This is a lengthy process and has to be started in the fall of the year. Keep dirt under your fingernails ~ Happy Gardening! Kelli H. Scott is the Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent for Virginia Cooperative Extension, Montgomery County and also works with regional agents to supervise the New River Valley Master Gardener Program. (540) 3825790, kescott1@vt.edu.
Combination plantings make for a beautiful show and elegant centerpiece. Add rocks or colored stones for a more dramatic effect.
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Pre-chilled tulips bulbs dropped in a glass vase with water and placed in sunny window in a room above 68*F. The flowers will bloom in 4-6 weeks. It is important to support flowers with long stems and heavy flowers with tall vases or a vertical support system, like a bamboo stick. If not, the flowers will pull the stems down and often flop or break.
The Face That Helped A Thousand Businesses!
(Well, hundreds anyway – but give him time.)
For the last seven years, Jonathan Kruckow has worked with hundreds of businesses in Blacksburg and the New River Valley as a commercial lender. As Grayson National Bank’s New River Valley Area Executive, Jonathan is prepared to help you and your business succeed, too.
Give him a call at 540.250.0280 to arrange a one-on-one meeting.
Hyacinths blooms and roots are beautiful in this display.
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902 South Main Street, Blacksburg, VA
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To view the complete report online just go to: http://snip.ly/pIZQ *The NRV Area MSA consists of the City of Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Montgomery, Radford, Floyd, Giles and Pulaski. Data as of 1/9/15.
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Cluck, Cluck, Cluck, Clique
backyard chickens Text by Joanne M. Anderson Eggs are one of the most compact, economical, low-calorie, high quality foods on the planet. One study found that more than 90 percent of people who raise or keep chickens do so for fresh eggs. Farm fresh eggs, like most farm fresh edibles, are both richer in nutrients and tastier than storebought. Additionally, chickens are: • • • • • • • •
fairly inexpensive easy to keep produce wonderful fertilizer help control bugs and weeds have personality and beauty taste delicious eggs are large, medium or small eggs can be brown, white, blue, speckled and other colors.
It is advisable to raise chicks all together as once a flock is formed, it can be tricky to introduce new hens. While they cluck, cluck, cluck around the clock, the ones who grow up together bond in one tight clique. They can peck at newcomers, assuring that the recent additions are lowest on that proverbial pecking order. Backyard chickens are not
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permitted in many residential neighborhoods in the New River Valley, though they are permitted on some land in all counties. Zoning generally controls agricultural designations where one can keep chickens ~ or horses, cows, pigs, sheep or goats. Chickens are not permitted, for example, in the Town of Pulaski, but as of last November, they are allowed throughout Pulaski County. Several municipalities which allow backyard chickens have restrictions on number of hens, no roosters, enclosures and so on. Check the rules before buying property if you are inclined to want chickens, a pet goat, pony or other livestock. You can easily retrofit an outbuilding or buy or build a chicken enclosure. Half the fun is letting them out during the day to go bug-hunting and fertilize your lawn and garden areas, though free range is not permitted in every locality. The cool thing about chickens is that you don’t have to round them up at dusk. They will naturally find their way back to the coop and fly up to a roosting bar for the night. Since chickens do not require large blocks of time or big money, they are wonderful to teach responsibility to children.
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Many 4-H groups and farm shows have a chicken category. From getting chicks at a farm store or through the mail to watching them grow up and produce that first egg (around 5 or 6 months old), it’s fun for all ages. The more they are handled as chicks, the easier it will be to handle them later. Once chickens are producing, one can let nature make more by adding a rooster to the flock, if permitted in your area. Downsides might include some noisy clucking, odor if their space is not cleaned often and the occasional escapee, which will come back at dusk to get inside, if not attacked while on the lam. If you don’t want chicken droppings on your porch or in the driveway or your municipality does not allow free range, they can be perfectly content and more safe in a large fenced area adjacent to the coop. It’s wise to either enclose this over the top with chicken wire or latch the door to their coop every night, safe from predators. Seems foxes, coyotes, cats and other critters enjoy chicken as much as humans. Whether you raise chickens for meat, eggs, profit, show or some combination of objectives, you’ll find them interesting. Cluck, cluck, cluck.
2015
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MAD E I N T H E N R V
Horses, Bullets and Flowers
Text by Joanne M. Anderson Photos courtesy of Jeni Benos There doesn’t seem to have been a time in the life of Jeni Benos when she wasn’t shaping horses out of whatever material was handy - clay, metal, wire. “I’ve always been 3-D inclined,” states the 30-something lady, who has built an intriguing jewelry business with an international clientele. She worked on a horse farm during her teen years and designed her first product, the Zodiac Ponies, around age of 21. Jeni approached a local tack shop to carry them, and when they started to sell, she made more and traveled to tack shops all over New England, then the East Coast and points West, as her business and product line expanded. In the spring of 2009, Jeni relocated her business to Giles County, where she has purchased property and designed her studio and a barn. Once the 42
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fencing and interior stalls are complete, she plans to have her own horse, fulfilling a life long dream. But getting to the New River Valley and building her business have taken much work, innovation, perseverance and dedication. Jeni Benos attended The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston for a while. “I got the skills I needed,” she smiles. Working for a high-end jeweler proved to be a great experience for this quiet, naturallyintroverted, young woman because it laid the foundation for understanding the sales component of a business. She also earned some Gemological Institute of America certifications. Along the way her determined, independent style propelled her to design her own website. “I took a class in website design at Mass Art in Boston, along with lessons from a
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professional,” she recalls. “It was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. I really enjoyed it at times and came close to throwing the computer out the window at others. Technology does not come naturally to me, but it was worth the effort. An artist needs to constantly expand on creative abilities and technical knowledge.” Not long ago, she took a welding class at New River Community College to add to her skill set. Jeni started her business, Jenuinely Jeni Inc., in 2004, when she was 22. Three years later, her seamless, hollow filigree, Guinevere horse necklace was awarded the American Equestrian Trade Association Innovation Award. “This was at a wholesale trade show for the equestrian industry,” she explains, “and Guinevere was up against all of the major manufacturers in the
2015
Summer and Fall Registration Begins Soon nr.edu/schedule
DUBLIN & CHRISTIANSBURG
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“I decided to make a petal for a friend. After that first one, I was inspired to create several more styles”. . . “My grandfather was a tool and die maker, and he made a living using this machine.” equestrian industry in a category which included horse artwork, home decor and accessories. It was quite an honor.” An avid and accomplished shooter, Jeni always saved her bullet shell casings figuring she’d do something with them one day. That day came when she was exasperated with a very tedious custom project. “I got the idea to make a flower out of a shell casing at a point where I really needed a break,” she explains. “I decided to make a petal for a friend. After that first one, I was inspired to create several more styles. Some have genuine gemstones on the ends of the stamen, and others have more elaborate wire work. I even made a few formed vases from larger shells, holding bouquets of Pistol Petals. I applied for and was eventually granted a U.S. patent.” Until this point, Jeni’s jewelry line had been solely horse-related. Once 44
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the Pistol Petals started selling, she began attending guns shows. “Since then, I have continued to expand the gun-related line in a number of directions with my Primer Collection, Artillery Petals and custom work. I also craft sculptures and jewelry with shell casings from military honors and special occasions.” In the machine shop section of her studio, Jeni uses a 20th century antique B.C. Ames lathe. “My grandfather was a tool and die maker, and he made a living using this machine. He would be proud that I am able to do the same. I really admired his mechanical abilities, and he even crafted a full set of collets for the lathe.” When Jeni inherited it, the lathe was in a couple of pieces, and no one knew how to put it together until she met an old machinist who worked for a competitor of B.C. Ames. He was able to get it assembled and running
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again. Working to various degrees of precision on this piece of equipment makes this silversmith and metalsmith fully appreciate the technical expertise of machinists like her grandfather. Since she crafts components and findings with precision sometimes up to 100th of a millimeter, one could say with certainty that she inherited her fine machining and precision skills from the man who once operated this B.C. Ames lathe. Jeni has often worked seven days a week and more than 12 hours per day to maintain her business. Nowadays, she’s quick to say how much she enjoys living in the peaceful setting of Giles County where she can pursue all of her artistic endeavors. And, have a real horse. Soon.
www.jenuinelyjeni.com
2015
Gallery Offering the most extensive collection of original watercolors, giclées, etchings and offset lithographs by P. Buckley Moss, America’s most celebrated living artist.
Matriarch
A Cadet Tradition, Barracks #1 - Lane Hall
The artist will be in the gallery signing May 16th, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm and May 17th, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. 223 Gilbert Street, Blacksburg, VA 24060 (540) 552-6446 Mon.-Sat., 10am-5pm, Sun., 12pm-4pm Validated Parking available at the North End Center Garage
www.pbuckleymoss.com
Grand Selection at Grand Prices
0229559
•Total Satisfaction Guarantee
•Lowest Price Guarantee
•Next Day Delivery
•Affordable Monthly Payments
Within 30 days if you are not completely satisfied we’ll exchange your purchase or refund your money. Mattresses, special orders, adjustable bases and clearance items not included.
See store for delivery areas and times
Within 30 days if you find the same item elsewhere for less we’ll refund 110% of the difference, 125% on mattresses. We guarantee our own prices too!
CHRISTIANSBURG 220 Laurel St SW 540.381.4000 www.grandhomefurnishings.com
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OPEN EVERY DAY
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