December SouthPark 2021 by SouthParkMag

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE 2021 NARI CotY AWARD WINNERS

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Charlotte Chapter announced the winners of the 2021 CotY (Contractor of the Year) Awards at this year’s virtual event, held on November 19th. An independent panel of judges from across the country reviewed submissions to select the winners in 15 categories including whole house, historical renovation, kitchens, baths, additions, and more. Award winning projects are listed below and are featured on the NARI of Greater Charlotte chapter’s website at www.naricharlotte.com/2021-CotY-Awards.

Residential Historical Renovation $250,00 and over Paul Kowalski Builders, LLC

2. Residential Interior $100,000-$250,000 MUSE Residential, Inc. 3. Residential Exterior $100,001-$200,000 TriSquare Construction

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4. Residential Bath Over $75,000 ReVision Design/Remodeling

14. Residential Kitchen $60,001-$100,000 ReVision Design/Remodeling & DiFabion Remodeling, Inc.

5. Entire House $250,000-$500,000 Carolina Classic Builders

15. Residential Kitchen Over $150,000 Paul Kowalski Builders, LLC

6. Commercial Interior Andrew Roby, Inc.

16. Entire House Over $1,000,000 Alair Homes Charlotte

7. Residential Landscape Design/ Outdoor Living Under $100,000 Turner Contracting Services

17. Residential Addition $100,000-$250,000 DiFabion Remodeling, Inc.

8. Residential Interior Under $100,000 Turner Contracting Services 9. Entire House $500,001-$750,000 Andrew Roby, Inc. 10. Residential Kitchen $100,001-$150,000 DiFabion Remodeling, Inc.

18. Residential Bath $50,001-$75,000 MUSE Residential, Inc. 19. Universal Design - Interiors DiFabion Remodeling, Inc. 20. Residential Interior Element under $30,000 ReVision Design/Remodeling

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FROM THE EDITOR

ne could argue the best part of the holidays is the food — in particular, the special recipes or treats you only allow yourself to indulge in once a year. So instead of my random musings here this month, I decided to ask contributors to this issue of SouthPark to share their favorite holiday dish, drink or dessert. Here’s what they said: “We celebrate Hanukkah, and I look forward to the potato latkes every year. The best part? Trader Joe’s makes some great frozen ones that you just pop in the oven and serve with sour cream or apple sauce. I used to play the dreidel game with my grandpa growing up, and we both loved the latkes. Even though he’s gone, I still think of him and smile every time I eat potato latkes.” — Michelle Boudin

CATHY MARTIN EDITOR editor@southparkmagazine.com

Cranberry cream cheese dip

(serves 6-8) Ingredients 6 oz. fresh cranberries 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts 8 oz. cream cheese block 1 box crackers Directions Rinse the cranberries and then place them in a small saucepan with the sugar, water and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine, place a lid on top and place it over medium-high heat. Allow the mixture to come to a low boil. Then, let it simmer without a lid for 5 minutes. By then, the cranberries should have all burst open and created a thick sauce. Allow to cool a bit. Place cream cheese block on a small plate or shallow bowl. Use the back of a spoon to create an indentation along the center of the block. Pour the warm cranberry sauce over the cream cheese. Make it more festive by adding green onions or jalapenos. Make it savory by adding chopped bacon. Serve with crackers. — recipe courtesy Page Leggett

SOUTHPARK

“The Yule log dessert — possibly the one dessert that I still stop taking pictures for. Give me a slice of Yule log, and I’m happy.” — Daniel Coston “Slow-cooked corned beef and cabbage with mashed potatoes, paired with Delirium Tremens Belgian beer. I know this is traditionally a St. Patrick’s Day dish, but as a kid, my mother served it on special occasions as well. Belgian beers are great for family gatherings. Slow drinking and high ABVs do help with all the ‘family cheer.’” — Justin Driscoll “My favorite holiday dessert is Russian tea cake cookies. They have a special place in my heart from the many years of childhood memories helping my grandma roll out the dough and then covering them in yummy powdered sugar.” — Amy Kolodziej “My favorite holiday dish is classic green bean casserole. No healthy substitutes or elaborative interpretations. Just the tried-and-true version my grandma used to make: frozen green beans, canned cream of mushroom soup, a little Worcestershire sauce and a hearty topping of crispy fried onions.” — Amanda Lea “My favorite holiday dessert is sweet potato pie. Delicious, made-from-scratch — and perfectly sweetened — sweet potato pie is comforting and reminds me of home.” — Ebony Morman “My mom’s signature pineapple casserole (a Paula Deen classic) is the perfect combination of unlikely ingredients: pineapple chunks, sharp cheddar cheese, Ritz crackers and lots of butter. I’m telling you — it’s absolute magic.” — Caroline Portillo “My favorite holiday dish is traditional Jewish lokshen kugel. Lokshen is the Yiddish term for ‘noodle.’ There are as many versions as there are Jewish grandmothers. The one I adore is a casserole-style dish that mixes egg noodles, eggs, sour cream, cottage cheese, brown sugar, honey, raisins, cinnamon, cloves and allspice, baked golden brown and toasty, served with jam or maple syrup. It brings me back to the Hanukkah meals I had as a child where my ‘bubbe’ always made an extra-large version.” — Michael J. Solender “I’m not much of a cook, so I love anything that’s simple and foolproof. This cranberry cream cheese dip appetizer (see recipe left) is. A friend served it at supper club eons ago, and I’ve made it every holiday season since then. Easy, quick and so good.” — Page Leggett A trip to Waffle House has been a longstanding holiday tradition for Style Editor Whitley Adkins, and one she recommends for those who might need a break from entertaining this year. “The coffee is average, the food is, too ... though I do really like the pecan waffles. The fellowship of the staff and other customers, familiarity of the surroundings and tunes on the juke box are divine ... enough said!” Bon appetit! SP

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When QUALITY Matters

December BLVD.

28 | travel Winter wandering: Find seasonal magic at nearby attractions.

34 | entertaining An elegant evening with a Venetian flair

40 | interiors Ten designers create chic spaces for a great cause.

48 | cuisine First look: Mariposa’s global-inspired menu

52 | cuisine Heather King leads the kitchen at Steak 48.

56 | style House of Jade Sky boutique is a call to embrace your inner New Yorker.

62 | profile Ohavia Phillips is a Charlotte firebrand and a proponent of positive news.

66 | artists The artists of Abstract Fabulous unite over a shared passion.

70 | holiday giving A few of our favorite things — and where to shop for last-minute gifts

72 | nonprofits 25 groups that can use your time, skills, donations and talent

76 | around town What’s new and now in Charlotte

78 | happenings December calendar of events

DEPARTMENTS 83 | simple life When you think about it, the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

87 | bookshelf New books by local authors

135 | swirl The best and biggest parties and events

144 | gallery A new addition to uptown’s Trail of History

ABOUT THE COVER Ready to celebrate: Photographed by Olly Yung and styled by Whitley Adkins; hair and makeup by Elizabeth Tolley with Locke Artists; models Hanna Pak and Miller Otto represented by Directions USA. Turn to Page 88 for additional credits.

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FEATURES 88 | Get the party started

114 | An Ashe County Christmas

styled by Whitley Adkins | photographs by Olly Yung Big or small, get ready to celebrate in style this holiday season.

by Page Leggett West Jefferson packs a lot of charm in a small town — its choose-and-cut tree farms make December the perfect time to visit.

96 | New city, new style by Blake Miller | photographs by Dustin Peck A new-to-Charlotte homeowner turns a traditional townhome into a transitional, modern gem.

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114 | The year’s best photos A look back at a few of our favorite images from 2021

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1230 West Morehead St., Suite 308 Charlotte, NC 28208 704-523-6987 southparkmagazine.com _______________ Ben Kinney Publisher publisher@southparkmagazine.com Cathy Martin Editor editor@southparkmagazine.com Andie Rose Art Director Alyssa Kennedy Graphic Designer Whitley Adkins Style Editor Contributing Editors Jennings Cool, David Mildenberg Contributing Writers Michelle Boudin, Wiley Cash, Daniel Coston, Jim Dodson, Amanda Lea, Ebony Morman, Caroline Portillo, Michael J. Solender Contributing Photographers Mallory Cash, Daniel Coston, Amy Kolo, Page Leggett, Blake Miller, Dustin Peck, Olly Yung _______________ ADVERTISING Jane Rodewald Sales Manager 704-621-9198 jane@southparkmagazine.com Scott Leonard Account Executive/Audience Development Specialist 704-996-6426 scott@southparkmagazine.com Sharon Smith Marketing Specialist Brad Beard Graphic Designer _______________ Letters to the editorial staff: editor@southparkmagazine.com Instagram: southparkmagazine Facebook: facebook.com/southparkmagazine Twitter: twitter.com/SouthParkMag

Owners Jack Andrews, Frank Daniels Jr., Frank Daniels III, Lee Dirks, David Woronoff Published by Old North State Magazines LLC. ©Copyright 2021. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Volume 25, Issue 12

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blvd. people, places, things

PHOTOGRAPH BY ELIZABETH LARSON

GREAT GATHERINGS Florals can brighten any table, and these jewel-toned beauties are no exception. The arrangements, provided by John Lupton Events, added a vibrant splash of color to an elegant and intimate dinner hosted by CIRCA Interiors & Antiques at the home of Patricia and Bruce Flachs. The home-furnishings boutique and design studio founded by Cindy Smith was celebrating the launch of a new textile line from the esteemed Venetian brand Fortuny. Turn to Page 34 to see more photos from the event. SP

southparkmagazine.com | 27

blvd. | travel

Biltmore Estate

Winter wandering by Amanda Lea

he days are getting shorter, the winter chill is creeping in and the holiday season is in full swing. If you’re in search of some seasonal magic to keep you warm, plan a day trip or weekend escape to one of these nearby attractions.

ASHEBORO Believe ... In the Magic of the Season at the North Carolina Zoo

Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12 Roam the beautifully decorated zoo grounds, enjoy cookies and hot cocoa and be sure to stop by for a photo with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at this annual holiday event. The kids will enjoy the holiday scavenger hunt and frolicking about at Treehouse Trek, a large play area with rope bridges and whimsical treehouses. nczoo.org

ASHEVILLE Christmas at Biltmore Estate

Through Jan. 9 The beloved Biltmore Estate and adjacent Antler Hill Village are bedecked with more than 28

SOUTHPARK

MEETING AMONG THE PINES SINCE 1895 Leave distractions behind at our quaint village and historic resort. Nestled in the Sandhills of North Carolina, Pinehurst is the perfect place to retreat and refocus. We’ve been hosting successful meetings and events for companies large and small since 1895, and we’d love to host yours. Consider Pinehurst for your next corporate gathering.

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blvd. | travel National Gingerbread House Competition at Omni Grove Park Inn

100 decorated trees, 10,000 ornaments, 100,000 twinkling holiday lights and an array of festive Christmas displays. Imagine yourself a guest at the first Vanderbilt family Christmas in 1895 – with flickering candlelight, stunning holiday trees and welcoming hearths. Also on view through March 5: Catch the Van Gogh Alive immersive art experience at Biltmore’s event center, Amherst at Deer Park. biltmore.com The National Gingerbread House Competition at Omni Grove Park Inn

Through Jan. 2 What began as a small group of community members celebrating the season has grown into a worldwide holiday tradition. This year marks the 29th year that gingerbread enthusiasts will participate in the largest competition of its kind. Winning gingerbread houses will be on display for viewing by hotel guests and visitors. omnihotels.com Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum

Through Jan. 1 Take a dreamy ride in your own vehicle or opt for the traditional walk-through experience to see the enchanted forest bedazzled with thousands of holiday lights. The 1-mile stretch of the arboretum’s 434-acre campus includes unique displays, like the 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden. ncarboretum.org/winter-lights

BANNER ELK A Small Town Christmas

Dec. 3-5 Bask in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains for a weekend of holiday cheer. Arrive Friday evening for the lighting of the official town tree and stay for a holiday variety show. Join the 5K Reindeer 30

SOUTHPARK

Run Saturday morning and have breakfast and story time with Santa. From there, you can visit the Apple Hill Alpaca Farm, view the luminaries, watch synchronized light shows, and pick out a Christmas tree to take home. bannerelk.com

BLOWING ROCK Chetola Resort Festival of Lights

Through Jan. 30 Drive or stroll around Chetola Lake to view holiday scenes and dazzling displays throughout the 78-acre resort adjacent to Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. The holiday extravaganza features nearly 30,000 lights and illuminates at dusk each evening. chetola.com

BRYSON CITY The Polar Express Train Ride at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Through Dec. 31 This holiday favorite brings The Polar Express book and movie to life. Pajama-clad passengers enjoy cookies and cocoa aboard the train while listening to the film’s soundtrack. The train stops to pick up Santa at the North Pole Village, which is illuminated by 62,000 colorful lights. gsmr.com

GREENSBORO Winter Wonderlights at Greensboro Science Center

Through Jan. 2 Festive fun zones, treehouse lights, dancing fountains and an

blvd. | travel

Reynolda House Museum

illuminated forest are just a few of the family-friendly attractions at Winter Wonderlights. This year’s event includes a new 11-acre zoo expansion. greensboroscience.org

GREENVILLE, SC Ice on Main

Through Jan. 17 Show off your best twirling skills in the heart of downtown Greenville. The open-air ice skating rink is like stepping into a mini Rockefeller Center, with tree-lined sidewalks and twinkling lights providing the perfect backdrop. greenvillesc.gov The Very Merry Local Christmas Market at Travelers Rest

Dec. 11, 12:30-4:30 p.m. Just north of Greenville, experience a timeless winter market with handcrafted goods from local quilters, potters, jewelers and food artisans. Sip on cocoa and cider while visiting the market stalls, and Santa will make an appearance between 2-4 p.m. travelersrestfarmersmarket.com

SOUTHPARK

WINSTON-SALEM Festival of Lights at Tanglewood Park

Through Jan. 1 Drive through 4 miles of illuminated holiday displays, one of the largest of its kind in the Southeast. Groups of four or fewer can experience the light show from a traditional horse-drawn carriage. Tractor-pulled hayrides (for individual family groups only) are also available. forsyth.cc/Parks/Tanglewood Holidays at Reynolda

Through Dec. 31 Step back in time and explore the tranquil 170-acre setting that comprises Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Reynolda Gardens and Reynolda Village. This year, authentic early 20th-century glass ornaments adorn the Christmas trees in the historic house. Additional highlights include wreath-decorating workshops, poinsettia and plant sales, live music and shopping days. reynolda.org SP Event details are subject to change. Be sure to check with venues before heading out.

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blvd. | entertaining

Very Venetian photographs by Elizabeth Larson

o mark the launch of a new textile line from luxury brand Fortuny, CIRCA Interiors & Antiques hosted an intimate dinner at the home of Patricia and Bruce Flachs on Sept. 16. The Venetian textile house recently debuted its IMAGO fabrics at CIRCA’s retail store at Shops at Morrison. Guests included Fortuny CEO Maury Riad, who recently moved to Charlotte; CIRCA owner and designer Cindy Smith; CIRCA senior designer and art director Heather Smith; and other local interior designers. Heather Smith staged the tablescape with Fortuny fabrics, and guests enjoyed a five-course tasting menu, cocktails and dessert. The evening was capped with a harp performance by Jayne Sprinkle.

southparkmagazine.com | 35

blvd. | entertaining

Place settings: CIRCA Interiors & Antiques Staging: Heather Smith Florals: John Lupton Events Catering: Bon Vivant Culinary Musician/harpist: Jayne Sprinkle SP

SOUTHPARK

See Our Holiday Traditions

in a New Light

This holiday season, experience over 265 years of pasts and presents in Winston-Salem. Find inspiration on a charming horse-drawn carriage ride under a million twinkling lights at Tanglewood Park’s Festival of Lights. Discover 18th and 19th century Moravian holiday traditions at Old Salem Museums & Gardens. Relish the warm glow of a Victorian Christmas at Körner’s Folly by candlelight. Admire Roaring ‘20s festive decor while touring Reynolda House Museum of American Art. Winston-Salem lights up the holidays like none other.

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blvd. | interiors

Delivering design TEN INTERIOR DESIGNERS CREATE CHIC SPACES FOR A WORTHY CAUSE IN FURNISH FOR GOOD’S SECOND ANNUAL FUNDRAISER. photographs by Dustin Peck

ver several weeks this summer and fall, 10 of Charlotte’s top interior designers donated their time and talent to Furnished, the second annual fundraising event for Furnish For Good. Started in October 2019 by Priscilla Chapman, Lesley Faulkner and Mary Beth Hollett, the nonprofit provides gently used and new furnishings for individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness and poverty. This year’s Furnished event raised more than $180,000 for Furnish For Good, which has already has outgrown its 4,000-square-foot showroom, nearly double the amount raised in 2020. 40

SOUTHPARK

R&R Interior Design 365

blvd. | interiors

The Harley House

K. Interiors

Quin Gwinn Studio southparkmagazine.com | 41

blvd. | interiors

Susan Hill Interior Design

Each designer had two days to complete their designs at FFG’s showroom, using a few foundation pieces provided by the nonprofit. The designers incorporated their own furniture, accessories and artwork, with many of the items sold in a virtual silent auction. A preview of the items was held at South End Exchange. The spaces were photographed by interiors photographer Dustin Peck, and during the last week of October, the public was invited to vote online for their favorite designs. This year’s winning vignette was created by R&R Interior Design 365. Titled “Gucci Gardenia,” the bold design was inspired by Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele’s Gucci Garden exhibition in Florence, Italy, and even incorporated some of

Home Ec.

SOUTHPARK

On view through January 2, 2022 • Mint Museum Uptown Step into a world of en plein air sketch classes and sun-dappled flower fields as you explore more than 70 iconic paintings by 19th-century artist John Leslie Breck, who helped bring the Impressionist style and techniques of Claude Monet to the United States.

John Leslie Breck: American Impressionist is generously presented by Bank of America, with additional support provided by The Mr. and Mrs. Raymond J. Horowitz Foundation for the Arts, and the Mint Museum Auxiliary. Individual support provided by Charlie and Susan Murray in honor of Welborn and Patty Alexander, and Mary and Dick Payne. The Mint Museum is supported, in part, by the Infusion Fund and its generous donors. IMAGE: John Leslie Breck (American, 1860–99). The Sketch Class (detail), 1890, oil on panel, 5¼ x 7 inches. Private Collection

blvd. | interiors

Patrick Lewis Interiors

R&R co-founder Robin Reaves’ hand-painted artwork. “This was a tremendous opportunity that means so much for our small business,” said Regina Reaves, who co-founded R&R with her husband, Robin, after the partners transitioned from careers in real estate and property management. “What an honor to be in the great company of others doing good for the community.” A whimsical vignette designed by The Harley House — complete with giant stuffed flamingo — was the runner-up. Chapman was overwhelmed with gratitude for the support from both the designers and patrons. “At Furnish For Good, we feel an Alexis Pawling Interiors

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Anne Buresh Interior Design

incredible amount of passion for the work we do, so when we meet people who match that passion the feeling is indescribable,” she says. “Because of this event, we will be able to continue to serve the growing need in our community related to ensuring everyone has a stable and dignified home. As we aim to grow our mission, our services, and impact, we do so in the spirit of those who make Furnish For Good possible with a great amount of responsibility and heart. To put it simply, thank you to our designers, our donors, our supporters, and friends.” SP SouthPark Magazine was the media partner for Furnished, which was held online Oct. 25-31.

Tuft Interiors

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DEC. 7-12

OVENS AUDITORIUM

BlumenthalArts.org • 704.372.1000 Photos by: Matthew Murphy/Evan Zimmerman/MurphyMade, Denise Truscello

blvd. | cuisine

FIRST LOOK:

Mariposa

SHARE A MEAL, AND SHARE A STORY AT UPTOWN’S NEW GLOBAL-INSPIRED RESTAURANT. by Ebony L. Morman

Elote Corn Fritters

photographs courtesy The Plaid Penguin

ne of restaurateur Jill Marcus’ favorite pastimes is meeting people, going into their homes and allowing them to tell their stories. This storytelling process allows Marcus to learn about a person or group’s cultural history — what they grow, why they eat the way they do and what makes them proud. Marcus’ latest concept, Mariposa (Spanish for “butterfly”), recently opened adjacent to Mint Museum Uptown in the space previously occupied by Halcyon. Inspired by North African and Mediterranean mezze, Mariposa serves a plethora of shareable dishes with the goal of having guests dine together, share food and tell stories. “It’s a conglomeration of my travels,” Marcus says. “A great way to meet people and understand cultures is by their food.” Executive chef Jonathan Moore brings a world-to-table experience with a menu of small, flavorful dishes like Elote Corn Fritters — sweet corn, serrano, cotija, crema, smoked paprika and cilantro — and Salmon Rillettes — melted shallots, dill, crème fraîche, fleur de sel, herbes de Provence, whole-grain mustard, cornichons and

SOUTHPARK

Jill Marcus, owner, The Mother Earth Group

3424 Colony Road

6320 Mitchell Hollow Road

Charlotte, NC 28211

Charlotte, NC 28277

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Barclay Downs Lauren Campbell 704-579-8333

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4312 Truscott Road

1004 Potters Bluff road

Charlotte, NC 28204

Charlotte, NC 28226

Monroe, NC 28110

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blvd. | cuisine

toasted baguette. Joining Chef Moore is Brad Grubb, the restaurant’s Level 3 sommelier and general manager, and pastry chef Sam Carrasquero-Chappelle. While guests have raved about the Gullah Paella — crisped Carolina gold rice pilaf, andouille, chorizo, gulf shrimp, fresh daily catch, oysters, sofrito and saffron — Marcus says one of her favorite dishes is the Mariposa Mezze Board, a generous, shareable platter of tzatziki, hummus, olives, roasted eggplant and more served with roasted za’atar flatbread. The dish represents Marcus’ travel experiences and highlights flavors and ingredients unique to the Middle East. “I like dishes that tell a story,” she says. As the owner of The Mother Earth Group, which also includes the Something Classic catering business along with Dilworth plant-based restaurant Fern, Flavors from the Garden, Marcus is passionate about the Charlotte community. Through a partnership with Sam Fleming of the nonprofit 100 Gardens, Mariposa gets its lettuce from the student-led aquaponics project at the Innovation Barn, an incubator for sustainable startups. Marcus’ hope is to create a circular economy between 100 Gardens, The Mother Earth Group and Mariposa. The restaurant’s innovative design and aesthetic also has a local connection. After consulting with The Mint Museum executives to hear their thoughts about the restaurant’s design, Marcus reached out to Owl, a local mural artist. Owl’s artwork adorning the walls and columns at Mariposa provides a modern feel and inspired the decor, from the black, white and grey color palette to the creative mix of seating options that includes traditional bar and dining chairs along with couches that make guests feel like they are at home. “It was really fun designing the restaurant, working with artists and doing the decor,” Marcus says. “I think it will, hopefully, jump-start people coming back to Uptown.” Marcus’ next project is Coquette, a French fast-casual restaurant inspired by France and its romance — think 1910 Paris, she says. Coquette, which is slated to open February 2022, will feature duck-fat fried chicken, pastries, oysters and all things fun and French. SP Mariposa is open for dinner Tues.-Sat. from 5-10 p.m. Lunch and brunch service will be added at a later date. 500 S. Tryon St., mariposaclt.com

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Executive Chef Jonathan Moore

Madagascar Chocolate Cake

blvd. | cuisine

Kitchen commander STEAK 48 EXECUTIVE CHEF HEATHER KING LEADS THE CULINARY TEAM AT ONE OF THE HOTTEST RESTAURANTS IN TOWN. by Michael J. Solender photograph by Kenty Chung

eather King has worked for just four employers during her nearly 30 years in the restaurant industry — an anomaly in a notoriously transient business known for high turnover. The 47-year-old western New York native cut her teeth in the business as a teen working at a national quick-service chain. A family move to Tampa, Fla., landed her in the kitchen of Bern’s Steak House, one of the country’s most storied fine-dining institutions. A serious approach to mastering her craft took the self-taught King from separating silverware and washing dishes through various prep roles, the sauté station, grilling steaks and ultimately managing the kitchen at the award-winning steakhouse. King came to Charlotte in 2006 to take on an operations role for the Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group. At the time, the business operated Lone Star Steakhouse, Sullivan’s Steakhouse and Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse. Last fall, she joined Steak 48 Charlotte as executive chef, overseeing a team of nearly 60 kitchen personnel. After a $9 million buildout, the upscale steakhouse opened at Apex Charlotte the week before Christmas 2020, and the crowds have not let up since. Since its opening, Steak 48 has become one of Charlotte’s most sought-after reservations — a feat in a town known for high-end steakhouses — with the restaurant serving 350-400 guests a night, King says. King attributes the success to a hardworking team, quality ingredients and a service level second to none. In a recent interview with SouthPark, King discussed staffing for attitude vs. aptitude, second chances and what’s fun about working in hospitality. Comments have been lightly edited for length and clarity. How is your role as executive chef at Steak 48 different from other jobs you’ve held? In previous roles, I would work the line, and that’s what I’m used to. This job is a lot more involved with staffing, training, ordering 52

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and operations. Also, I oversee everything that leaves the kitchen for the dining room. That’s [one reason] why we’re so successful, because we are touching every plate that goes out. What is it like to be always busy, with such high expectations from diners night after night? It’s exciting — I don’t know any other way. I think honestly, the energy here is what is so attractive for both diners and the staff. It’s not a stuffy steakhouse. There’s energy when you walk in. Guests can experience different dining rooms: One is quieter and more romantic, others are livelier. I think that makes us different from any other steakhouse. Performing at a high level is motivating for me and my team. I’m relentless. I read the online reviews to learn where we can do better, and I walk the dining room three times over every shift to interact with guests. When guests come out for an evening with us, they deserve the very best, and we deliver for them.

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blvd. | cuisine What’s the secret to being successful in your vocation? The secret sauce is hard work, as always. I’ve always said that. It’s not an easy job. You’ll see all these kids coming out of culinary school, and they’re like, “I want to go right to the executive chef role.” It doesn’t work that way — never has, and never will. I don’t feel there have been barriers for me as a woman. Nowadays, there are a lot of women chefs out there. They might not get the same publicity as the male chefs, but they all did the same thing I did — they started at the bottom, and they worked their way up. It depends on how far you want to go. I’m not finished yet — perhaps I’ll own my own restaurant someday.

Heather’s hot takes Go-to cocktail: Don Julio 1942 anejo margarita Favorite home kitchen toy: My new smoker — I smoke a dynamite brisket How she unwinds: Listening to classical music

Many restaurants have struggled with staffing throughout the pandemic, yet you have a full team and a reputation for excellent service. Can you speak to that? It comes back to being respectful. I’ll give you a shot, if you want to learn. There are two types of people in my world: There’s can’ts and there’s won’ts. If they can’t do it, then we’re going to show them how to do it. If you won’t do it, then we won’t want you on the team. It’s that basic. I’m also a believer in second chances. Everyone deserves that second chance. I’ve been given a second chance, so everyone that comes in the door gets that same opportunity for success.

Unexpected Charlotte find: The Thirsty Beaver Saloon – I mean Mick Jagger, wow Favorite vacation spot: Coronado Island, the most beautiful place on Earth! Most underrated dish at Steak 48: Everything is great, but if I had to choose one, it would be the double-baked potato. You’ve got to have potatoes with your steak, and these are the best.

What’s fun about working in the hospitality industry? These kids (pointing to staff members enjoying a pre-shift family meal) keep me young. I’m like a mom to some of them. There’s no place I’d rather be. SP

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blvd. | style

Go for the bold THE BRAINCHILD OF LADY GAGA’S FORMER MAKEUP ARTIST, HOUSE OF JADE SKY BOUTIQUE IS A CALL TO EMBRACE YOUR INNER NEW YORKER. by Caroline Portillo photographs by Amy Kolo • produced by Whitley Adkins

arissa Jade Willinsky may have fallen in love with Charlotte three years ago, but her clothes, her vibe, her live-out-loud home-turned-fashion boutique? They’ve got New York written all over them. A former makeup artist to some of the world’s biggest superstars, from Lady Gaga to Britney Spears, Willinsky, 39, is the founder of Charlotte-based House of Jade Sky. It’s a members-only fashion boutique in Wesley Heights that the Brooklyn native created to “bring out the inner New Yorker in people of all ages, all beliefs, all races and sizes.” An annual membership to House of Jade Sky costs $50 and comes with a host of perks, from exclusive party invitations to anytime access. That’s right: The House of Jade Sky is open 24 hours a day to its 350 members and their fashion emergencies, “catering to last-minute black-tie invites, impromptu out-of-town trips, broken hearts and even 2 a.m. boredom,” Willinsky says. And if you’re wondering whether her members actually take her up on it — they do. One member, whose husband had surprised her with a last-minute weekend getaway, stopped by at 3 a.m., Willinsky says. She left three hours later with cocktail dresses, beachwear, belts and loungewear for the plane in tow. Those late-night fashion calls are possible because House of Jade Sky’s boutique also happens to be Willinsky’s home. She opens the front door in limited-edition Chuck Taylors and a distressed denim jacket spray-painted in neon colors, sleeves rolled up. The back of the jacket is emblazoned with a screen print of Frida Kahlo, rivers of orange and pink streaming from her closed eyes. A mustard-yellow velvet baseball hat and a bright red lip complete her look. The walls of the home, from the front door to the upstairs showroom, are marked by murals of massive flowers and butterflies in an explosion of color — the handiwork of local artist Kristi Kirkpatrick. On the first floor is a tropical oasis of a bedroom-turned-dressing room, complete with pink walls and palm-leaf murals. The second floor is the kitchen, living area and showroom, where walls and windows are lined with Willinsky’s designs. The clothes and accessories range in price from $32 to $395, and all are made to be noticed. Consider the Space Cowgirl bodysuit studded with rhinestones and pearls, the Andy Warhol-inspired Pop Art mini dress, the iridescent purses, bedazzled sunglasses, and crossbody bags fashioned to look like takeout Chinese containers (read: New York). Willinsky wants her clients to be noticed — to stop traffic. “If they’re not getting whiplash, I’m not doing my job,” she says.

‘MEET ME IN THE BRONX’

Willinsky’s fashion sensibilities are a product of her upbringing, her education and the

southparkmagazine.com | 57

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legendary New York City nightclub scene she became well acquainted with in her teens. Willinksy’s father, an Italian, and her mother, a “5-foot-2 spunky Asian,” met in Korea when her dad was in the U.S. Air Force. In Korea, her mother’s family owns a manufacturing company that produces apparel. Willinsky grew up watching her mother, who owned a hair and nail salon and boutique, make clothes for her and her sister. Willinsky herself was always sketching, making her way through a stack of white construction paper and a 64-count box of Crayola crayons. She stepped into her first NYC nightclub, the Limelight, on a Saturday night at age 15 (after “borrowing” the ID of her 22-year-old sister, Kim). She loved the scene — the showmanship, the sleek silhouettes, the shiny black outfits, the nights spent planning what she’d wear the next time she went out. Willinsky got a bachelor’s degree in psychology and after a change of heart, went back to school at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned a bachelor’s in fashion merchandising. Throughout college, she worked in retail and fashion merchandising and at MAC cosmetics, a key player in New York’s fashion scene. When she graduated from FIT in 2008 at the start of the recession, she got an offer to be an assistant designer making $30,000 a year — about what her Manhattan rent cost. MAC, on the other hand, offered her $60,000 to return to her old job as a makeup artist for major events. 58

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“It’s not what I wanted to do forever,” Willinsky says. But it paid the bills and meant trips to Milan Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week. And one Sunday morning at 6 a.m., she got the call that changed her life: “Get your kit together and meet me in the Bronx,” her friend said. Willinsky showed up on an industrial set to find music superstar Lady Gaga doing a photo shoot for her Monster Ball worldwide concert tour. Thanks to that 6 a.m. call and a fortuitous day spent in the Bronx, Willinsky spent the next decade touring with some of the music industry’s biggest names: Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber. She was a makeup artist for hundreds of shows a year, but she’d pinch hit wherever else she was needed: hair, nails, even wardrobe. Then in 2018, during Gaga’s Joanne tour, the artist’s chronic pain led her to cancel the 10 remaining concerts. She gave everyone five weeks of paid leave — unheard of in the industry, Willinsky says. So rather than go back to New York to try to scrounge up some gigs, Willinsky headed to Cornelius to visit her mother and sister. Her sister and brother-in-law had relocated to the Charlotte area years earlier, and Willinsky’s mother joined them after Willinsky’s father passed away. In those five weeks, Willinsky discovered what a gem of a city Charlotte and its growing creative community was. She decided toI put down roots.

A LAUNCH, A SHUTDOWN AND A REBIRTH Willinsky had always wanted to open a boutique and to design 60

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her own clothes. And thanks to her extended family’s manufacturing company in Korea, she had the means to bring her designs to life. In November 2018, she opened House of Jade Sky in the heart of NoDa. “Jade Sky” is a play on her middle name (Jade) and the end of her last name. It wasn’t long before she and her New York panache made a name in the Charlotte creative community. But 14 months after she opened her doors, Covid-19 forced her to close her brickand-mortar retail space and pivot. That’s when she decided to bring her work home, officially. When Willinsky first saw the Wesley Heights home that would become House of Jade Sky, it was the second floor that struck her most. The big windows, the open concept — they reminded her of a New York City showroom. On the third floor is Willinsky’s bedroom and her sewing room, where she cooks up all of the extravagant designs that later find themselves on the showroom floor. And the rooftop, with its skyline views, makes for the perfect party spot. This summer, Willinsky toasted to new beginnings for House of Jade Sky with a five-DJ lineup, catering from Los Viajeros in New York and a 10-minute firework show. Some of Lady Gaga’s backup dancers made a surprise visit — donning Willinsky’s designs, of course — and Beyonce’s choreographer James Alsop, better known as Miss James, performed. “My mission is to bring out something in you that you never knew you had,” Willinsky says. And sometimes, that means sprinkling the Queen City with a little Big Apple flavor.. SP

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blvd. | profile

Good vibes only MEDIA MAVEN, EVENT MODERATOR, TALK-SHOW HOST AND FEEL-GOOD NEWS PROPONENT OHAVIA PHILLIPS IS A CHARLOTTE FIREBRAND WITH AN OUTSIZED PERSONALITY AND A PASSION FOR PEOPLE. by Michael J. Solender

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OHAVIA PHILLIPS

havia Phillips hustles up the sidewalk in front of Not Just Coffee in Wesley Heights, arriving for our appointment on a September afternoon. Tall and statuesque, Phillips could be mistaken for a model, her easy and vibrant approach to style highlighting a natural glow. Phillips doesn’t merely command attention with her exuberant, megawatt smile and electric presence; she draws all eyes in the room in her direction. Phillips radiates enthusiasm and energy, and nearly everyone she meets wants a giant-sized cup of whatever she’s having. The oldest of five siblings, Phillips, 29, moved to Charlotte from Brooklyn, New York, at age 13 with her single mother, a nurse who had taken a job with a large health care provider. A UNC Charlotte graduate with a bachelor’s degree in communications with a journalism minor, she received her master’s in communications in 2017 from Walden University, where she is pursuing her doctorate in organizational leadership. Phillips began developing her media chops while at UNC Charlotte, covering arts and entertainment and anchoring Niner News, a student-run broadcast network. While finishing her degree, she landed a reporting and producing internship at Spectrum News (formerly Time Warner Cable). Phillips continued working post-graduation for the media company’s local affiliate as a producer/reporter until 2018, when she left to form her own company, The

Oh Show LLC, a custom media and content-development firm. Though her business plan wasn’t fully crystallized when she struck out on her own, Phillips was confident in her abilities and certain the media landscape in her adopted hometown was hungry for uplifting, positive news. She also longed for a platform to showcase underrepresented community members making an impact. Since launching her YouTube-based talk series, “The Oh Show,” Phillips has consulted on diversity and equity issues

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blvd. | profile with public and private organizations; hosted events for Belk, Blumenthal Performing Arts and others; and emceed at numerous local fundraisers. Last month, she was chosen to moderate national political figure Stacey Abrams’ Charlotte appearance, and Phillips started a new chapter, joining the communications, public relations and marketing team at Central Piedmont Community College. In an interview with SouthPark, Phillips shares her take on the media landscape, the power of positivity and dealing with doubters. Her responses are lightly edited for length and clarity. How did you land a career in journalism and media? I came into [UNC Charlotte] undeclared from the transfer program at Central Piedmont Community College. I didn’t know what I wanted to be, or what to major in. Somebody told me that you can get paid for your personality. I didn’t know what that meant. I recall thinking, “Get paid for your personality? What is that called?” And my guidance counselor at the time said, “Oh, that’s journalism.” And the rest is really history. I started at Niner News, and that’s when the nourishment began. I finally felt seen — I felt heard. I felt like finally, this Afro-Latin woman from Brooklyn who moved to the South made sense, and she had a voice. Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of women I could point to that looked like me and were anchorwomen, and I felt valued. After graduation, at Spectrum, I was in a hybrid [producer/reporter] role: general assignments, shootings, fires, crime. Here and there I could do enterprise pieces on people and community, but those were very rare and far between.

with positive media content, where we highlight community news. I had my very first live show in April 2019, and we packed the place out. It featured [diversity and inclusion speaker and author] Raven Solomon, and I remember thinking, “These people came to listen here.” It was insane. I didn’t have any backing, but it’s led to other opportunities. I knew I had this big idea of creating positive media content. People told me I was crazy, because [in] my news background, “if it bleeds it leads.” But I love community, and I love this idea of teaching and empathy. What I love about the Queen City is it’s been my blank canvas. I’ve been able to meet amazing people, tell amazing stories and stick beside content I’m proud of. It’s all positive stuff; it’s none of the negative stuff. When I talk to people in different places, it’s all love. So, it’s been a place where I could just figure it out.

“The real Ohavia is just a lover of people. I want to see people win, and I want to see communities understand each other.”

How did the heaviness of the stories you reported on take a toll on you and shift your perspective? Covering the Keith Lamont Scott shooting, covering the Pulse nightclub shooting, the rapper Young Dolph shooting — all this negative news began to weigh on me. I thought “What happened to the girl with the big personality?” And I felt like she was fading away. Also, I didn’t get to be in the community as much as I wanted to, or talk to people. The straw that broke the camel’s back was when I was assigned the Keith Lamont Scott shooting. The tipping point was [when] CNN used one of my photos, and I was thinking, “Wait a minute. So, I can make this journalism thing something for me. I just don’t know how to do it.” I wanted to be more in the community and share different perspectives. Describe how you took the entrepreneurial leap. I jumped out on my own and established The Oh Show LLC. I wasn’t even thinking long-term. I just wanted it to be a talk show 64

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How do you cut through the pervasive clutter of negativity? What I’ve found out is people really love positive news. It’s not hard to find. I stay up for it every day, stay up for it every night, and I wake up and it’s become my life. And I haven’t let up, and I don’t plan to. I believe that the world needs more of it, and so I just keep bringing it. One of my favorite “Oh Show” episodes was surrounding police brutality. I had Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Capt. Brad Koch, artist Dammit Wesley and a local high school student, and we discussed the intersection of community and art and activism. And we made space for honest conversation around what is justice, what is equity for all people. I love that episode because we had an officer who was marching beside demonstrators, we had an artist who sat down with the officer to discuss, “Okay, well what does this look like?” and we had a student from Ardrey Kell High School, who was about to embark on her collegiate journey, and she wanted to know, “How can I continue to serve?” We didn’t run away from the topic but put a lot of the faces at the forefront that can at least explain why communities feel the way they do. Who’s the real Ohavia and why is she such a force? The real Ohavia is just a lover of people. I want to see people win, and I want to see communities understand each other. I’m so sick of cancel culture. I feel like we must create space for people to unlearn as much as they learn. We’re so quick to tell people, “Go four years, and turn the tassel, and get a degree.” Well, what is it like unlearning? If we’ve been so used to hearing things a certain way, that process is going to be double. So, Ohavia is all those things, but my favorite title is I’m a lover of people, and I create safe spaces. SP

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blvd. | artists

Creative companions THE ARTISTS OF ABSTRACT FABULOUS UNITE OVER A SHARED PASSION. story and photographs by Daniel Coston

From left: Murray Parker, Elaine Connors, Lambeth Marshall, Sherry O'Neill, Bre Crowell, Sally Mamer Brown and Dagmar Hollmers

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harlotte’s roster of regionally and nationally recognized artists has grown in recent years. Many work independently, establishing their own circuit of galleries and clients. In the southern end of Mecklenburg County, a small group of such artists and friends have come together to push their work even further. “Like a family,” is how artist Sally Brown describes the group, which goes by the name Abstract Fabulous. “We all work independently but support one another,” sharing techniques, encouragement and ideas at semi-regular meetings at each other’s homes. The group came together seven years ago following a conversation between Brown and fellow artist Sherry O’Neill. “She was telling me about a group that she had been a part of when she lived in Florida,” Brown says. “It sounded like fun, so I reached out to several artists that I thought would enjoy it.” Brown contacted her friends Lambeth Marshall and Daggi Hollmers, then she invited Elaine Connors and Bre Barnett Crowell. Later, Marshall suggested Murray Parker. “The group grew as we met other abstract artists,” Marshall says. Scrolling through the group’s website, abstractfabulous.com, what becomes evident is a friendship and a shared love of the creative process. “Art That Resonates” is the group’s tagline. Each artist brings to the group her own unique background. Hollmers grew up in Germany and worked for many years in New York before moving to Charlotte. Parker is a third-generation artist who grew up in the Carolinas. O’Neill has exhibited her works in numerous galleries in North Carolina and Florida and is a member of the National Association of Women Artists.

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Lambeth Marshall

Murray Parker

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Marshall, an art instructor at Queens University, and Crowell are North Carolina natives. “I am thrilled to see the growing movement in abstract art in the area,” O’Neill says, noting that Charlotte’s gallery scene now rivals others across the U.S. “With the influx of California and New York people being transferred [to Charlotte], there is more interest in fine abstract art and respect for it now,” concurs Marshall. “Abstract or contemporary art challenges the viewer’s mind and draws one into it with color, texture, contrast, mark-making and interest. It is not just a perfect picture, like a photograph,” she explains. “We have the best of all worlds,” Brown adds. “We are seeing the world of art growing and transitioning. We have world recognition and aggressive galleries. It’s every artist’s dream.” On a recent Friday afternoon, the group came together for an informal meeting, and everyone brought a covered dish or snack. Along with discussing plans for upcoming shows, the artists shared their recent works with the group. Some were completed projects, while others were works in progress. Words of encouragement and conversation flowed throughout the day. Along with the at-home gatherings and field trips to meet with other artists, the group has begun organizing exhibitions of their works throughout the Carolinas. This includes a November show at the O’Brien Gallery in Greensboro, and a 2022 exhibition at the Four Corners Framing Gallery in Mooresville. “The nicest part of our group is our relationships with each other,” says Brown, who adds that the group intends to remain small to preserve that tight-knit sense of community. “All of us come from different backgrounds, cultures, interests, educations and learning experiences. We share our techniques. We solve creative problems together.” SP

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blvd. | shopping

A few of our favorite things SHOPPING LOCAL IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER. CHECK A FEW NAMES OFF YOUR LIST WITH GIFTS FROM THESE UP-AND-COMING CHARLOTTE BRANDS — OR PICK UP LAST-MINUTE ITEMS AT A LOCAL BOUTIQUE.

You’ve seen the “From Charlotte With Love” mural — the popular South End selfie spot at Wooden Robot Brewing — now share your passion for the Queen City with others. Trash Genius has hoodies, T-shirts, trucker caps — even onesies for your favorite niece, nephew or grandchild. Purchase items online or at the Charlotte Visitor Info Center at 329 S. Tryon St. $20-$68, trashgenius.net

Leigh Rogers and Mallory Zvara founded Beverly Drive in 2019 to fill a void in women’s sleepwear — pretty, quality, non-flimsy fabrics that look as good as daywear. Both co-founders were juggling corporate jobs and parenting young children and wanted something that made them feel “beautiful and restored” at the end of the day, Rogers says. Their short sets, night gowns and day gowns come in a variety of feminine, pretty patterns — check their website and Instagram @shopbeverlydrive for the latest designs. $106-$216, shopbeverlydrive.com

For your stressed-out significant other who needs a little self-care: Mood House in Dilworth is offering a 3-month Holiday Membership: For $255 (value $349) you’ll receive three 50-minute massages and a custom candle. Massages can be used any time before Dec. 31, 2022. And if the season is taking a toll on your senses as well, book a Holiday Chill massage through Dec. 26 for a relaxing experience with a unique scent, playlist and affirmations designed just for the season. thisismoodhouse.com

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blvd. | shopping

Bloc Collective’s adorable zipper bags and

pouches come in a several sizes and can be used to store just about everything. Carrie Tucker, a family nurse practitioner, started Bloc Collective earlier this year to help a relative who was out of work and to give back to the community — through its “Bags of Love” campaign, Bloc Collective donates a portion of proceeds to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the business also donates toiletry bags to local foster youth. The large bags are perfect for travel, as diaper bags or as a mom’s “bag within a bag,” Tucker says, while smaller bags are ideal for cosmetics or to hold children’s belongings. Bags are sold online and at Sloan boutique and Woo Charlotte. Follow @thebloccollective on Instagram for product updates. $35-$75, shopbloccollective.com SP

Gifts on the go For stocking stuffers, a last-minute hostess gift or others on your list, you’ll find an eclectic mix at these shops and boutiques. BEDSIDE MANOR

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luxury body care, candles, stationery, bath robes. 6401 Morrison Blvd., Suite 19, bedsidemanor.com

Primarily a home-décor and design hub, you can also find jewelry, home accessories and art works in this multivendor venue. 200 N. Sharon Amity Rd., cotswoldmarketplace.com

casual tabletop items, tumblers, cosmetic and tote bags, beaded jewelry. 1033 Providence Rd., lauraparkdesigns.com

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pet items, wild bird supplies, home and garden décor, oldschool toys including Schleich figurines. 4225 Park Rd., blackhawkhardware.com THE BUTTERCUP

stationery, picture frames, candles and jewelry. NEW location: 1035 Providence Rd., buttercupcharlotte.net CIRCA INTERIORS & ANTIQUES

sophisticated stocking stuffers like Cire Trudon candles along with glassware and tabletop items. 721 Governor Morrison St., Suite F170, circainteriors.com

GRANVILLE

This home boutique also carries jewelry, tabletop items, candles and other fine accessories ideal for gifting. 6815-A3 Phillips Place Ct., granville-charlotte. com HOUSE OF NOMAD

candles, incense and diffusers; blankets and throws; coffee table books. 1405 East Blvd., shophouseofnomad.com JOHN DABBS LTD.

fine barware and tabletop items, gifts and keepsakes for babies and children, candles. 759 Providence Rd., johndabbsltd.com

MINT MUSEUM STORE

unique jewelry, pottery, glassware, children’s puzzles and toys. Two locations, at Mint Museum Uptown and Mint Museum Randolph, store. mintmuseum.org MOXIE MERCANTILE

jewelry, leather goods, vintage items, bath and beauty supplies, home accessories. Three locations in Matthews, Plaza Midwood and Davidson. Sibling Betty by Moxie recently opened in Plaza Midwood. moxiemercantile.com PAPER SKYSCRAPER

art and coffee-table books, greeting cards, candles, cocktail supplies and a zillion other un-

common goods. 330 East Blvd., paperskyscraper.com PAPER TWIST

stationery, desk and home accessories. 2902 Selwyn Ave., Suite A, papertwist.com RUXTON MERCANTILE

apothecary items, candles and diffusers, kitchen wares, cocktail supplies. 102 Middleton Dr., ruxtonmercantile.com REID’S FINE FOODS

wine, holiday snack tins and gift baskets. Four Charlotte locations in Myers Park, SouthPark and uptown, reids. com SOCIETY SOCIAL

bar and entertaining accessories, candles, soaps and bath salts, puzzles. 2000 South Blvd., Suite 195 (inside Atherton Mill) shopsocietysocial.com

southparkmagazine.com | 71

blvd. | nonprofits

Guide to giving

’T

is the season for giving, and thankfully we live in a community known for its generosity. According to SHARE Charlotte, which connects nonprofits with neighbors eager to help, the Queen City is home to more than 500 nonprofits. And just about every one of them will tell you the pandemic made their work more important than ever before. So whether you want to help kids, artists, or people fighting cancer or poverty, there is an organization that can use your time, skills, knowledge, donations or financial assistance. This is not an all-encompassing list, just a highlight reel of 25 nonprofits working hard to make a difference in Charlotte. by Michelle Boudin

ArtPop Street Gallery

ArtPop connects artists with the community by promoting their work on billboards, newsstands and murals across the city. ArtPop also helps artists learn how to make a living at their craft. The organization’s newest initiative, Inspiration Projects, pairs artists with businesses and individuals for paid assignments. artpopstreetgallery.com

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The Arts Empowerment Project

Students with little or no arts education are five times more likely to drop out of high school, so the Arts Empowerment Project uses art as a way to help improve that statistic and combat childhood trauma. Its programs combine art instruction with life skills training and the exploration of racial and social justice initiatives through art. theartsempowermentproject.org

Augustine Literacy Project

The Augustine Literacy project provides free one-one-one tutors to young readers with the goal of improving their reading, writing and spelling skills. These trained volunteer tutors work with first, second and third grade students in Title 1 schools throughout the Charlotte area. alpcharlotte.org

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blvd. | nonprofits Camino Community Center

This bilingual and multicultural health center provides affordable integrated care to underinsured and uninsured people. The center focuses on four service areas: primary care, behavioral health, health and wellness, and food security through a food pantry that served more than 23,000 people in 2020. caminohealthcenter.com

City Startup Labs

Henry Rock created City Startup Labs as an accelerator and incubator to provide training, mentoring and coaching for young men of color to become viable entrepreneurs. citystartuplabs.com

Common Wealth Charlotte

Common Wealth Charlotte offers financial education and counseling and access to banking for low-income wage earners, helping them achieve financial independence. The organization also provides opportunity loans and access to credit, allowing clients with low credit scores to refinance predatory loans, make deposits for rental housing and manage other financial emergencies. commonwealthcharlotte.org

Do Greater Charlotte

At its workspace in west Charlotte, in its mobile lab and through its online offerings, Do Greater Charlotte’s programs provide tools and technology for underprivileged children. Do Greater Charlotte’s young clients can learn to code, create music videos, learn about entrepreneurship and more. dogreater.org

Foundation for Girls

Sisters Shreya and Sahana Mantha created the Foundation For Girls in 2014 when they were middle-school students at Providence Day School. FFG works to provide single moms and their children experiencing homelessness with resources, relationships and guidance to prepare them for independence and financial resilience. foundationforgirls.org

Girls Rock Charlotte

Girls Rock Charlotte works to amplify voices of girls, women, and gender-diverse youth and adults, empowering them to stand up for themselves and for each other through music and film education. GRC runs summer camps and programs throughout the school year, working with local musicians, filmmakers and artists while supporting diversity on the stage, behind the camera and in the community. girlsrockclt.org

Go Jen Go

The Go Jen Go Foundation provides financial assistance to local individuals battling breast cancer and their families during diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Founded by Jen Pagani before she died from breast cancer in 2014, the foundation pays for the things insurance doesn’t, such as rent and car payments, meals, even holiday gifts for kids. gojengo.org

Green Box Solutions

Through coding and innovation camps and workshops for girls, Dottie Rose Foundation provides hands-on experiential learning while working to close the gender gap for females in the fields of technology and computer science. dottierosefoundation.org

When founder Erin Welborn was a child, her mother kept all of the important documents in the house in a “Green Box,” so that if anything ever happened to her, everything her daughter needed would be in the box. Green Box Solutions works to make aging easier for everyone through classes and events on topics such as senior safety, organizing important documents, and how to communicate with your medical provider. greenboxsolutions.org

EmpowHERment

Hands For Holly

Dottie Rose

Developing young female leaders is the goal of EmpowHERment. The organization works to empower girls in grades 6-12 through connecting them with women mentors in the community, talent development and advocacy. empowherment.com

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Hands for Holly helps families overcome the financial burden of cancer. Holly Wade was about to turn 14 when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She spent the last year of her life fighting cancer and working with her mom, Christine Wade, to

create this charity. Hands For Holly guides families through the cancer journey and pays essential expenses, allowing the families to focus on accessing care, getting well and being at their child’s side when they are needed the most. handsforholly.org

Hope Haven

Hope Haven provides recovery programs for individuals and families impacted by substance use so they can build healthy, independent lives. hopehaveninc.org

Humane Society of Charlotte

In March, the the Humane Society of Charlotte finally broke ground on what will be their new home — a state-of-the-art animal resource center. The no-kill shelter has spent the last few years raising most of the $15 million it needed for the 26,000-squarefoot space that is expected to be completed next spring. The new facility will have indoor climate-controlled kennels, expanded veterinary services and even a cat cafe. humanesocietyofcharlotte.org

Learning Help Centers of Charlotte

Since July 2012, Learning Help Centers of Charlotte has served impoverished families through weekly tutoring sessions, summer camps for children, and family enrichment events. The program’s goal is to keep marginalized children in school so that they can break the cycle of generational poverty. lhcclt.org

ourBRIDGE for Kids

ourBRIDGE for Kids runs after-school and summer programs for refugee and immigrant children and their families as they adjust to their new homes in the United States. The programs are based on their four core values of LERD: Love, Education, Respect and Diversity. joinourbridge.org

Prospera

Prospera supports Hispanic entrepreneurs through business seminars, consulting, grants and access to capital. Prospera also connects participants with a network of corporate sponsors and financial institutions that have a desire to support small and minority-owned businesses. prosperausa.org

blvd. | nonprofits Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte mobilizes community volunteers and contractors to provide repairs that make homes safer and healthier. The group also partners with other local organizations to connect communities with additional resources to help create more vibrant neighborhoods.The organization recently launched SHE BUILDS, a women-led program providing critical repairs for women-headed households and women-focused community spaces. rebuildingtogetherclt.org

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina

During the 16 months of the heart of the pandemic, Second Harvest Food Bank distributed more than 110 million pounds of food and household goods to people in the Charlotte region. The food bank is celebrating 40 years of feeding the Carolinas and doing some of their most important work ever, as hunger is at an all-time high. The agency is always in need of food, dona-

tions and volunteers. secondharvestmetrolina.org

Soccer FC

Soccer FC brings the game of soccer to kids who might not otherwise have the chance to play. With programs at 10 Title 1 schools in Charlotte, Soccer FC gives these kids an opportunity to be part of a team, wear their own jersey and have a coach/ mentor of their own. soccerfc.org

tation in neighborhoods throughout the city. The group focuses on educating the community about sustainability, increasing public engagement and bringing businesses, nonprofits and public agencies together to talk about these regional issues. sustaincharlotte.org

Time Out Youth

SouthEnd Arts

Time Out Youth supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth ages 11-20. At its center on Monroe Road, the organization provides a safe space for discussion groups, social activities and more. timeoutyouth.org

Sustain Charlotte

To learn about additional nonprofit organizations that have recently been featured in the pages of SouthPark, visit southparkmagazine.com/category/ giving/ or scan the QR code on your mobile device. SP

SouthEnd Arts’ mission is threefold: the organization works to raise community consciousness about local history, culture, opportunity and heritage; it helps emerging artists professionalize their portfolios; and it highlights these local artists through gallery shows and on digital platforms. southendarts.net From new bike lanes to helping define the city’s official Streets map, Sustain Charlotte advocates for smart growth when it comes to development and transpor-

DECK THE WALLS Vintage Holiday Paintings

Christopher Clamp, DANCER 1, 2020, Oil on Panel, 6 x 6 inches

625 South Sharon Amity Road Charlotte, NC 28211 704.365.3000 gallery@jeraldmelberg.com www.jeraldmelberg.com M-F 10-6 Sat 10-4

southparkmagazine.com | 75

blvd. | around town

retail

Evolution Aura, a candle store, has opened at SouthPark Mall. The Black-owned store sells hand-crafted, soy-based candles in three sizes. Through year-end, the store will donate 10% of profits to Beds for Kids, a local nonprofit that provides furniture to children and their families in need. uSleepy Poet Antique Mall has moved to 6423 South Blvd.

Uptown Yolk

Night Swim Coffee

Amelie's French Bakery & Cafe

food + drink

Uptown Yolk will reopen at Vantage South End in 2022. The breakfast-focused restaurant will seat about 100 people. Uptown Yolk started in 2012 in Rock Hill, S.C., and later moved to uptown Charlotte before closing in March. Uptown Yolk is owned by Greg and Subrina Collier, owners of Leah & Louise. u Amelie’s French Bakery & Cafe plans to relocate its flagship store in NoDa to a new 7,000-square-foot location at 136 E. 36th St. u Firebirds Wood Fired Grill will open its first Huntersville location at 16641 Birkdale Commons Pkwy. u Night Swim Coffee opened at 1620 Oakhurst Commons Dr., Suite 306, the first of four cafes planned in Charlotte. Night Swim is a merger between Undercurrent Coffee and Not Just Coffee. SP

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blvd. | calendar

December HAPPENINGS Events + activities The Charlotte Christmas Village and Light the Knights at Truist Field Through Dec. 23 Take a walk along Christmas Tree Lane and the “Snowtastic Winter Wonderland” as you make your way to the bakery, shops and more at the Charlotte Christmas Village. Live music and holiday treats are almost as sweet as the skyline views. Tickets are $5 before 5 p.m. and $10 after 5 p.m., children under 2 are free. cltchristmasvillage.com Ice Skating at the Whitewater Center Through mid-February Skaters of all ages and experience levels can take to the ice again this year at the Whitewater Center’s newly expanded, 24,000-square-foot pond with four distinct skating areas, including a new ice trail in the upper pond. Enjoy hot or cold beverages from the on-ice Airstream. Admission is $25 or included with an all-access day pass or annual pass. whitewater.org Christmas at the Library at the Billy Graham Library Through Dec. 23 Little ones will enjoy the story time on

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the heated patio and singing along with the Christmas carolers. A live nativity will be on display, and the carriage ride offers a magical view of the library grounds. Reservations are required, but admission to the library is free; carriage ride tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children. billygrahamlibrary.org Holidays at the Garden at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Through Jan. 2 Stoke your holiday cheer with a stroll among the twinkling cherry trees and roast marshmallows beside a roaring fire. Food trucks will be onsite for a quick bite, and you can sing along to holiday favorites at the festive topiary display. Tickets start at $14.95 for adults; children under 2 are free. dsbg.org Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway Through Jan. 16 Cruise through a dazzling 4-mile course with hundreds of creative holiday displays. LED lights twinkle to Christmas-themed music for the ultimate spectacle the whole family will enjoy. Tickets start at $30 for a vehicle pass (maximum of 15 people per vehicle). charlottemotorspeedway.com

Fourth Ward Holiday Sip & Stroll presented by the Friends of Fourth Ward Dec. 2-4 The self-guided porch-crawl-style tour offers outdoor views of Victorian-era homes trimmed to the nines. Enjoy food and beverage tastings, live music and carriage rides. Tickets start at $30. fourthwardclt.org Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Dec. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19 The brewery’s famous biergarten transforms into a German-style Christmas village, complete with lights, music, shopping and Gluhwein (spiced wine). You can also enjoy seasonal favorites like Yule Bock and Dunkel by the cozy fire pits. Free to attend. oldemeckbrew.com Charlotte Ballet Presents Nutcracker at Belk Theater Dec. 3-23 The magic returns as visions of sugar plums pirouette to Tchaikovsky’s treasured score performed by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Tickets start at $25. blumenthalarts.org

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blvd. | calendar The Polar Express Train Ride at North Carolina Transportation Museum Dec. 3-5, 9-12, and 14-23 The motion picture classic comes alive with this magical ride at the Spencer museum. Pajama-clad passengers are entertained by a reading of Chris Van Allsburg’s classic while enjoying cookies and hot cocoa. Watch Santa present the first gift of Christmas at the North Pole and receive your very own sleigh bell (if you believe). Tickets start at $32. nctransportationmuseum.org

festive event. Expect an outdoor biergarten, movie screenings, live music and more. Each evening will feature a special pop-up event, including the Reindog Parade on Dec. 4. camp.nc

Family First: African Dance Experience at Harvey B. Gantt Center Dec. 4 This dance workshop is open to all ages and is a wonderful way to learn about the history of African dance. Expert instructor Elsie Mufuka will guide participants through simple moves against the backdrop of African drums. Registration cost is $10. ganttcenter.org

Robert Earl Keen’s Christmas Show Dec. 7 Slightly irreverent, definitely amusing — sing along with the Americana icon and his band of musicians at Keen’s annual holiday concert when the tour stops at Knight Theater. Tickets start at $32.50. blumenthalarts.org

Mistletoe Market at Camp North End Dec. 4, 11 and 18, 4-8 p.m. Join more than 25 local and regional vendors along with Camp North End's 20+ shops, restaurants and galleries for this

Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas Dec. 6 The Grammy-nominated songwriter and pianist returns to Knight Theater on his annual holiday tour. Tickets start at $25. blumenthalarts.org

“Gather and Give” luncheon hosted by Good Friends Charlotte Dec. 9 The women’s nonprofit organization is celebrating its 35th year with an annual end-of-year giving luncheon at the Charlotte Convention Center, with a simultaneous virtual event. Funds raised from the event help to

support causes such as food security, infant safety and youth education. Attendance is free, with the opportunity to make a financial contribution. goodfriendscharlotte.org Jazz Room Holiday Edition: Preservation Hall All-Star Christmas at Booth Playhouse Dec. 9-10 The annual performance by the world-renowned Preservation Hall All-Stars is back. Swing along to holiday favorites with a NOLA twist, and enjoy a pre-concert reception and silent auction supporting JazzArts Academy. Tickets are $28. blumenthalarts.org The Magic of Christmas at Knight Theater Dec. 10-19 Join the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra in this annual performance featuring sing-alongs, falling snow and vocalist Tony DeSare. Ticket prices vary. charlottesymphony.org Mark O’Connor’s An Appalachian Christmas Dec. 16 The Grammy-winning composer and fiddler stops at Knight Theater in a show

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blvd. | calendar that features new takes on Christmas classics in a style that mixes bluegrass with other musical genres. Tickets start at $22.50. blumenthalarts.org The Hip Hop Nutcracker at Knight Theater Dec. 27-28 This brilliant mashup is a contemporary treat. Travel through time and tradition as Maria-Clara and her prince, Myron, meet up with a gang of street dancers in “The Land of Sweets” — a nightclub trapped in the year 1985. The production features hip-hop interludes reimagined by DJ Boo and an on-stage electric violinist. Tickets start at $19.99. blumenthalarts.org

Give the gift of gear.

Cirque de Noel at Knight Theater Dec. 29-30 Enjoy holiday favorites performed by Charlotte Symphony Orchestra combined with amazing acrobatics. Tickets prices vary. charlottesymphony.org

Museums + galleries

American Abstraction at Jerald Melberg Gallery Through Jan. 1 An homage to the style that emerged in New York City during the mid-20th century, this exhibit features artists who were original members of the Abstract Expressionist movement or who have carried its legacy to new generations. 625 South Sharon Amity Rd.; jeraldmelberg.com The Space Between at SOZO Gallery Through Dec. 4 A reflection on what it means to exist physically, spiritually and mentally in our world today, this group exhibit features works by five contemporary artists. Explore themes of space in various contexts — holding space, sacred space and, appropriately, the spaces in-between. 904 Pecan Ave. Unit 101, sozogallery.net — compiled by Amanda Lea

Scan the QR code on your mobile device to view our online events calendar — updated weekly — at southparkmagazine.com

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southparkmagazine.com | 81

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|simple life

Meaningful happiness WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THE ORDINARY BECOMES EXTRAORDINARY.

ILLUSTRATION BY GERRY O'NEILL

by Jim Dodson

bumped into a friend in the produce section at the market. We had not seen each other since the start of the pandemic — well over a year ago, if not longer — long enough for me to briefly forget her name, though maybe I was just having the proverbial senior moment. In any case, when I asked how she’d been, she simply smiled. “Like everyone, it’s been pretty challenging. But, also kind of revealing. It may sound funny, but I discovered that picking beautiful vegetables to cook for my family makes me really happy. Previously, shopping seemed more like a necessary chore than a privilege. I guess I’ve learned that the ordinary things provide the most meaningful happiness.” We wished each other safe and happy holidays and said goodbye. She went off to the organic onions and I went in search of the special spiced apple cider that only comes round during the autumn holidays — an ordinary thing, it suddenly struck me, that provides “meaningful” happiness to my taste buds. For what it’s worth, though too late to count, I also suddenly remembered my friend’s name: Donna. Quite honestly, in all the years I’ve steeped my tin-cup soul into the works of great spiritual teachers, classical philosophers, transcendental thinkers, Lake District poets and street-corner cranks, I’d never come across the phrase meaningful happiness. But suddenly — like an ear-burrowing TV jingle or a favorite song from the 1970s — I couldn’t get the idea of it out of my head. Mankind’s search for happiness and meaning, of course, prob-

ably constitutes the oldest quest on Earth, beginning with a fabled naked couple in a heavenly garden, though as any ancient sage worthy of his or her plinth will tell you, true happiness is not something you can acquire from the outside world. Even a fashionable fig leaf can only cover so much. Objects and possessions can certainly provide a shot of pleasure, but invariably lose their power to possess us somewhere down the line as rust and dust prevail. At the end of the day, as our wise old grandmothers patiently advised, true happiness can only come from the way you think about who you are and what you choose to do. As a famous old Presbyterian preacher once remarked to me as we sat together on his porch on a golden Vermont afternoon: “What we choose to worship, dear boy, is what we eventually become.” This curious idea of meaningful happiness, in any case, struck me as a highly useful tool — a way of defining — or, better, refining — what kinds of people, things and moments in life are worthy of our close attention in a world that always seems to be beyond our control and on the verge of coming apart at the seams. For most of us, like my friend Donna’s awakening among the vegetables, the art of discovering meaningful happiness simply lies in recognizing the ordinary people, things and moments that fill up and grace an average day. My gardening hero, Thomas Jefferson — “I’m an old man but a new gardener” as he once wrote to a friend — was an inveterate list-maker. And so am I. So naturally, I began taking mental inventory of the blessedsouthparkmagazine.com | 83

|simple life ly small and ordinary people, things and moments that provide meaningful happiness in a time like no other I can recall. I’m sure — or simply hope — you have your own list. Here’s a brief sampling of mine: Rainy Sundays give me meaningful happiness. The heavens replenishing my private patch of Eden. No fig leaf needed. Speaking of which, I’ve spent most of the pandemic building an ambitious Asian-inspired shade garden in my backyard, though probably more Bubba than Buddha if you want to know the gospel. Even so, it’s granted me great peace and purpose, untold hours of pondering and planning, no small amount of dreaming while digging in the soil, delving in the soul, bringing an artist who works in red clay a little bit closer to God’s heart. Unexpected phone calls from his far-flung children provide this papa serious meaningful happiness. They grew up in a beautiful beech forest in Maine, assured by their old man that kindness and imagination could take them anywhere in the world. Today, one lives in Los Angeles and works in film, the other is a working journalist in the Middle East. They are telling the stories of our time. This gives the old man simple joy from two directions, east and west. Courteous strangers also make me uncommonly happy these days — people who smile, open doors for others, wear the world with an unhurried grace. Ditto people who use turn signals and don’t speed to make the light, saving lives instead of time; those who realize the journey is really the point. For this reason, I always take the back road home.

Mowing the lawn for the first time in spring makes me surprisingly happy, as does mowing it for the final time in autumn, bedding down the yard. In summer, I love nothing better than an afternoon nap with the windows wide open; or watching the birds feed at sunset with an excellent bourbon in hand, evidence of a growing appreciation for what our Italian friends call dolce far niente — “The sweetness of doing nothing.” Ditto golf with new friends and lunch with old ones, early church, old Baptist hymns and well-worn jeans. My late Baptist granny would be appalled. Let me be clear, eating anything in Italy makes me wondrously happy — for a few blessed hours, at least. Watching the winter stars before dawn makes me blessedly happy too, along with wool blankets, the first snow, homemade eggnog, the deep quiet of Christmas Eve, the mystery of certain presents, long walks with the dogs, writing notes by hand, and my wife’s incredible cinnamon crumb apple pie. This list could go on for a while, dear friends. It’s as unfinished as its owner. But time is precious, and you have better things to do this month — like shop, eat and be merry with the friends and family you may not have been with in years. Let me just say that I hope December brings you true meaningful happiness. Whatever that means to you. SP

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$2,300,000 – Stunning modern home with unique, custom design. 6BR/5.1BA, chef’s kitchen, stacked stone fireplace, screened porch, courtyard, charming carriage house.

Patty Hendrix Broker/Realtor® & Top Producer Myers Park Resident 704.577.2066 patty@hmproperties.com hmproperties.com

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©2021 Corcoran Group LLC. All rights reserved. Corcoran® and the Corcoran Logo are registered service marks owned by Corcoran Group LLC and fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.

|bookshelf

December books New books by local authors Doctors and Friends by Kimmery Martin Just as three friends from medical school gather to travel in Spain, an outbreak of a fast-spreading virus throws the world into chaos. Martin provides a unique insider’s perspective into the world of medical professionals working to save lives during the most difficult situations of their careers.

The Vote Collectors by Michael Graff and Nick Ochsner In November 2018, Baptist preacher Mark Harris beat the odds, narrowly fending off a blue wave in the sprawling Ninth District of North Carolina. But word soon got around that something fishy was going on in rural Bladen County. In The Vote Collectors, Michael Graff and Nick Ochsner tell the story of the political shenanigans in Bladen County, exposing the shocking vulnerability of local elections and explaining why our present systems are powerless to monitor and prevent fraud. Bad Motherf***: The Life and Movies of Samuel L. Jackson, the Coolest Man in Hollywood by Gavin Edwards Samuel L. Jackson’s embodiment of cool isn’t just inspirational — it’s important. This new book lays out how his attitude intersects with his identity as a Black man, why being cool matters in the modern world, and how Jackson can guide us through the current cultural moment in which everyone is losing their cool. Edwards details Jackson’s fascinating personal history, from stuttering bookworm to gunrunning revolutionary to freebasing addict to A-list movie star.

The pandemic that could have been Charlotte ER doctor-turned-novelist Kimmery Martin’s third book, Doctors and Friends, was written prior to Covid-19, but don’t expect much similarity between our own pandemic experience and the imaginary outbreak that takes place in the book. Though the subject is a bit weightier than in Martin’s previous books (The Queen of Hearts, her debut novel published in 2019, and The Antidote for Everything, published in 2021), it’s less a cautionary tale than it is a story about the sustaining power of friendship during challenging times. Comments were edited for length. How did you come up with the idea of writing about a pandemic before we actually experienced one? I first wrote an essay in 2018 about a book I wanted to write. I wrote to my editor, and I said what do you think about a novel about an infectious disease doctor in the middle of a new pandemic? I didn’t foresee Covid at all. I did think that we would have a pandemic at some point. I just didn’t think it would happen a few months later. It was really inspired by some of the nonfiction books that I had read, especially The Great Influenza and a book called Crisis in the Red Zone. I sort of put those two books together and came up with a fictional virus. How is this book different from your first two? It’s a more intense subject, certainly. I do tend to have a lot of humor in my writing, and there is some in Doctors and Friends. But obviously it’s a little bit more of a wrenching subject matter than the other two. I tried to balance that by bringing hope, and sweetness and optimism and some lighthearted stuff when I could. It’s also a bit more of a sweeping novel — it takes place on multiple continents and in different cities. What do you say to people who might have pandemic fatigue — why should they read this book? The nice thing about fiction is that the author controls the ending. This is kind of the pandemic that could have been. I would emphasize to people that this book does not reflect Covid. It isn’t going to be an accurate depiction of what we went through. There are things in it that actually did turn out to be very accurate. … But it truly is an imaginary pandemic. I think the most heartening message of the book is that these women love each other, and they have a solid friendship that has endured for a long time. And during what turns out to be a horrible struggle for everyone, they are able to draw on the strength of this friendship which sustains them. And that I think is a comforting thing during a real-life pandemic. SP — Cathy Martin

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Left: Evolve stacking ring - diamond, 14K gold, $1,870, Evolve stacking ring - gold, 14K gold, $1,240, both Campbell + Charlotte Right: Hunter Bell Isabel top, Charlotte’s, $375; Found emerald cut ring - moonstone, 14K gold, rainbow moonstone, $3,480, The Crew stacking ring - gold, 14K gold, $1,480, The Crew stacking ring - etched & diamond, 14K gold, $2,040, all Campbell + Charlotte Nicolette lucite tray, $260, William Yeoward Jasmine cake plate, $275, and dome, $195, all John Dabbs Ltd.; assorted pastries from Villani’s Bakery

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Get the

party

started CELEBRATE THE SEASON: EVEN THE SMALLEST SOIREES CAN BE ELEGANT AFFAIRS

photographs + production: Olly Yung styling + production: Whitley Adkins hair and makeup: Elizabeth Tolley with Locke Artists models: Hanna Pak and Miller Otto, represented by Directions USA photography assistant: Alvin Hall styling assistant: Charisse Bruin

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upper left: Evolve stacking ring - gold, 14K gold, $1,240, Evolve stacking ring diamond, 14K gold, diamonds, $1,870, Found cigar band ring, 14K gold, rainbow moonstone, $3,850, all Campbell + Charlotte; emerald and diamonds bangle, $12,500, Surya and the Moon lower left: The Edge ferris wheel ring, 14K gold, diamonds & tie dye multicolor sapphires, $14,000, The Crew bangle bracelet – diamond, $6,960, both Campbell + Charlotte; 18K gold single rubellite cuff, $2,900, Surya and the Moon upper right: The Edge wave ring, 14K gold, $1,450, Evolve stacking ring - emerald, 14K gold, emerald, $1,870, The Edge swirl ring, 14K gold, diamonds & pink sapphires,

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$6,315, all Campbell + Charlotte lower right: The Crew knife edge stacking rings - 14K gold in diamond, $2,180, sapphire, $1,650, pink sapphire, $1,850, and lavender sapphire, $1,850, Evolve multi charm bracelet – diamond, $4,120, all Campbell + Charlotte; single aqua cuff, $2,900, Surya and the Moon on plate: Found emerald cut ring, 14K gold, rainbow moonstone, $3,480, The Edge tennis necklace, 14K gold, pink sapphires, $12,000, both Campbell + Charlotte; single strand watermelon tourmaline necklace, $995, and large drop tourmaline gonda necklace with tassel, $3,800, both Surya and the Moon

Hunter Bell Miles top, $425, Charlotte’s; Vietri Regalia wine goblet, $75, John Dabbs Ltd.; Evolve cocktail ring, tourmaline, $4,780, Campbell + Charlotte; 18K gold and white sapphire star earrings, $1,995, Surya and the Moon

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left: The Edge tapered stacking band - gold, 14K gold, $1,500, The Edge tapered stacking band - emerald, 14K gold, emerald, $2,900, both Campbell + Charlotte; 18K gold single rubellite cuff, $2,900, 18K gold, moonstone, white sapphire and aqua cuff, $7,500, both Surya and the Moon

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right: The Edge hinged ring, 14K gold, diamond, ruby, $12,000, Campbell + Charlotte Herend Babos charger plate, $205, and Herend Chinese Bouquet dinner plate, $145, both John Dabbs Ltd.

Marie Oliver June blouse, Charlotte’s, $278; Hunter Bell Stevie skirt, Charlotte’s, $425; The Edge chandelier earrings - 14K gold, spessartite garnet, pink sapphire and diamonds, Campbell + Charlotte, $5,350; magnolia garland and wreath, The Rooted Nest

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This page: The Crew half moon double hoop earrings, 14K gold, diamonds, $3,040, The Edge small ferris wheel ring, 14K gold, diamonds, $5,800, The Edge disk necklace, 14K gold, diamonds, $6,100, all Campbell + Charlotte; House of Jade Sky Starlite Blazer, $109; pastry from Villani’s Bakery

Opposite page: Frida brocade top, $198, and Frida brocade skirt, $238, RENATA by Renata Gasparian; Julie Vos ring, Charlotte’s Inc., $175; Holly Berry wrapping paper, starting at $19.20, Jen Gerena Designs SP

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New city,

new style

A CHARLOTTE NEWCOMER DITCHES THE IDEA OF AN INDUSTRIAL, URBAN LOFT AND INSTEAD TURNS A TRADITIONAL TOWNHOME INTO A TRANSITIONAL, MODERN GEM. by Blake Miller • photographs by Dustin Peck • styling by Kendra Surface

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nterior designer Robin Titus-Schwadron’s client knew exactly what he wanted when he took a job in Charlotte. “Much of my adult life, I’ve lived in either New York City or London, so I was used to a specific type of home,” the homeowner explains. “I was looking for a loft with a doorman in an industrial building.” But after a couple of months searching, it became clear that what he wanted simply was not available in the Queen City. “I was trying to find New York City or London in Charlotte, and that doesn’t exist. So I really had to change gears and my mindset and look for something that was more ‘Charlotte.’” Soon after the homeowner revised his search, he came across a townhome in Myers Park that struck a chord with him. “It’s a townhome, but it looks like a standalone dwelling,” he says. Despite being a decade old, he could see the vast potential in the space. “It had character and really great bones, and that’s really what drew me in.” TitusSchwadron, lead designer and owner of Chicago-based R Titus Designs, could see that though her client wanted a more modern home, he was subconsciously attracted to more traditional lines. “I think for him, it was about the bones of this home — that it’s so well done and well-built, and sometimes that’s hard to find in a more modern home these days,” the designer says.

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Though Titus-Schwadron and the homeowner hadn’t previously worked together, as acquaintances she had seen his previous residence in Virginia, a traditional, Spanish Mission-style home. “He was really craving something more modern with the interiors here, but I think what he couldn’t stray from or ignore was his affinity for the traditional architectural details of this home,” Titus-Schwadron says. With this in mind, she pulled together a design scheme that wouldn’t necessarily cover up traditional details such as the home’s heavy crown molding and trim, but rather complement it with more modern furniture, accessories, textures and patterns. “To me, the word traditional isn’t a pattern or color,” she explains. “Traditional is having the right pieces in the room. This home feels like a traditional home. The layout is traditional. The architecture is traditional. But the modern aspect comes in via the accents and patterns.” After painting the entire, 3,000-square-foot home, Titus-Schwadron focused on updating the architectural details such as the casings and moldings by painting them a darker hue than traditional bright white. In smaller spaces, such as the powder room, foyer and primary suite, she installed patterned wallpaper, despite the homeowner’s initial reluctance. “I really wasn’t sure about the wallpaper, but then I let Robin loose and now I absolutely love it,” he says. In the reading room off the primary suite, the walls and ceiling are wrapped in a bold gray-and-white Phillip Jeffries wallpaper to create a warm, cocoon-like effect. “The wallpaper highlights the angles in a fun-shaped room,” TitusSchwadron says. The sitting room is now the homeowner’s favorite space to unwind and even work from home. A passionate art enthusiast, the homeowner insisted on choosing the artwork for his home. Paintings by Erik Renssen, which the homeowner purchased at a gallery in Amsterdam, and southern artist Nathan Durfee, from

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Robert Lange Studios in Charleston, instantly introduced a more modern aesthetic in the living room. While Titus-Schwadron pushed the envelope with the bolder finishes and patterns, she never strayed too far from the home’s traditional bones. In the dining room, pale blue walls are complemented by grasscloth on the ceiling and hand-printed linen draperies by Lindsay Cowles. Even the dining room chairs by Interlude Home skew modern but still maintain a healthy dose of tradition in their shape and lines. For the designer, this was one of her fondest residential projects. “Even though it had its challenges working remotely from Chicago, this is one of my favorite homes that I designed,” Titus-Schwadron says. “Working with this client was such a pleasure. And helping him find the perfect home was great.” SP

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travel | daytrips

An Ashe County Christmas WEST JEFFERSON IS THE PLACE TO GO FOR A CHOOSE-AND-CUT TREE. HERE’S HOW TO MAKE A FULL DAY OF YOUR TREE-CUTTING EXCURSION. by Page Leggett

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY ASHE COUNTY CHRISTMAS TREE ASSOCIATION

hen I shared on Facebook a few weeks ago that I was in West Jefferson, a friend posted, “I’ve always wondered what that town looked like.” It was then that I realized, as many times as I’d passed the exit — a little past Blowing Rock and Boone on the road from Charlotte — I’d never wondered. I should have. West Jefferson, formerly part of the “Creeper Trail” railroad line, packs a lot of charm into its 2.1 square miles. The Ashe County hamlet, incorporated in 1909, has a walkable downtown with shops, restaurants and bars and a cheese factory that can’t be missed. Ashe County is also the biggest Christmas-tree producing county in the United States, which is a good reason to get acquainted with West Jefferson this time of year. About 12,000 acres in the county are devoted to growing the ubiquitous holiday accessory. According to the Ashe County Christmas Tree Association, every Christmas tree sold in the county is produced on a family farm, so your purchase supports a family business. And since the average 8-foot tree takes more than a decade to reach that height, this is not a get-rich-quick scheme for farmers. But you don’t have to take Ashe County’s word for the caliber of its trees. Look to Washington, D.C., for confirmation: Eight of the White House Christmas trees, including this year’s 18.5-foot Fraser fir from Peak Farms in nearby Jefferson, have come from Ashe County, making it the biggest supplier of presidential Christmas trees in the U.S. The county’s tree website, ashecountychristmastrees.com, is the place to start your search. You can filter by tree type — Fraser firs are native to North Carolina and especially plentiful — and choose from among 10 cut-your-own farms. Plenty of Ashe County trees end up at retail lots in the Carolinas, but if you’re a DIYer, head straight for the source.

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f Ashe County is known for one thing, it’s Christmas trees. But if it’s known for two things, the second would have to be cheese. At its downtown factory on Main Street, Ashe County Cheese has been helping milk reach its higher calling since 1930. And while it is considered a can’t-miss stop on any West Jefferson itinerary, it literally cannot be missed: Three giant dairy cows — actually large milk tanks in the shape of giant Holsteins — stand sentinel behind a split-rail fence and indicate you’re in the right place. Watch as cheese is made, and then cross the street to visit the shop for all manner of take-home cheeses. The usual suspects — your cheddars, your Parmesans — are there, but so are some specialty cheeses, including Mountain Gouda and Juusto with Jalapeno, described as a buttery-flavored cheese originally made in Scandinavia. On Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the cheese truck is out and ready to fulfill all your dreams — if your dreams involve poutine, BLT melts and fried cheese curds. The shop also offers butter, meats (sausage, country ham, jerky), crackers, local honey and fantastic fudge made in-house. Should you find yourself not in the mood for cheese (what?!), there’s a surprisingly good seafood place in West Jefferson, just a

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little off the beaten path. High Country Seafood’s motto is “Because you live above sea level doesn’t mean your food has to.” The specialty of the blink-andyou-could-miss-it seafood counter — lobster rolls (both Maine and Connecticut versions are offered) and lobster tacos — are served only on Fridays. Crab bites, po’boys and a scrumptious wood-smoked salmon sandwich are on the menu anytime. This is truly a seafood counter, so anything you order will be to-go. When I was there, several people were eating in their cars. I went ahead and joined them. When in West Jefferson … High Country Seafood is just across the street from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Stop by the sanctuary of this early 20th-century church for a look at Ben Long’s artistry. Long grew up in Statesville, went to UNC Chapel Hill and apprenticed to an Italian fresco painter after a stint in the U.S. Marines. If his work looks familiar, you may have seen his murals inside Bank of America Corporate Center in uptown Charlotte. He painted his church frescoes — “Mary, Great with Child,” “John the Baptist” and “The Mystery of Faith” — in 1974, 18 years before the Bank of America commission.

You won’t have to forgo good coffee (or tea, hot cocoa or hot cider) just because you’re in a small town. Bohemia Coffee offers an impressive array of coffee and tea drinks. Sweetness in a Cup brings together espresso, steamed half and half, cinnamon and raw sugar for an energy boost that’ll keep you going all afternoon. Seasonal drinks might include a turmeric chai latte, a frozen pumpkin concoction with salted caramel mousse, or a coconut macaron latte. The coffee shop also has a lovely selection of locally made pottery. Should you crave an adult beverage, head to Carolina Country Wines & Craft Beer for a selection of over 600 wines and 300 beers, with 20 taps. Antique stores, boutiques, and art and craft galleries are plentiful downtown, and there’s not a chain store in sight. Downtown has, so far, managed to avoid becoming a Main Street filled with stores you can find anywhere. West Jefferson is a “cut above” for Christmas trees. But if you go just for the tree, you’ll miss out on all the other charms. If you’ve ever wondered what West Jefferson looked like, December is the time to go. SP Over the river and through the woods: Actually, it’s just up Interstate 77 and a little over two hours from uptown Charlotte. Start the search for your perfect tree at ashecountychristmastrees.com. Check the cheese-making schedule at ashecountycheese.com. And find out what else is happening in town at visitwestjefferson.org.

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Inspired holiday shopping Elevate your holiday shopping with inspiration from Charlotte’s luxury retail icon, Phillips Place. Browse our hand-picked selection of exclusive retail against a backdrop of festive holiday lights and décor. Our upscale shops and restaurants

phillipsplacecharlotte.com

provide the highest quality shopping and dining experience in SouthPark.

REGAL PHILLIPS PLACE JOHN MICHAEL KITCHENS MODERN SALON LIMANI (COMING SOON) EILEEN FISHER BELLEZZA MARMI (COMING SOON) BROOKS BROTHERS ALLEN EDMONDS 110

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ORVIS CUSTOM INK PAPER SOURCE SOUTHERN PECAN HAMPTON INN + SUITES THE PALM BONTERRA (COMING SOON) LADIES OF LINEAGE WINDSOR JEWELERS

PF CHANG’S 800° WOODFIRED KITCHEN / BAR ONE GRANVILLE NIC+ZOE J.MCLAUGHLIN PETER MILLAR (COMING SOON) RH ROOFTOP RESTAURANT RH GALLERY TAYLOR RICHARDS & CONGER

COFFEE. CAFÉ. COCKTAILS. WINE BAR.

Coming soon to Phillips Place bonterradining.com

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PHILLIPS PL ACE 6815-D PHILLIPS PL ACE CT • CHARLOTTE, NC

Happy Holidays! OUR GIFT TO YOU: Receive 20% off your first service and 10% off future services. DC: Neighbors1, Neighbors2

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Photographs by Lindley Battle Photography

Phillips Place, SouthPark 6809 Phillips Place Ave, Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28210 Appointment Reservation: 704-547-4208 www.ladiesoflineage.com

on the Gulf Coast where Creole, Cajun, Native American, Latin and Asian cuisines combine to create the unique Southern palate. Enjoy fresh seafood, Southern food and variations on classic dishes from the area in a lively setting of Blues, Jazz and Southern hospitality. New Lunch Menu with Brunch items, Salad and Sandwich additions and all our customer favorites. For reservations visit: www.southernpecanrestaurant.com Open Sunday through Thursday: 11am – 10pm Friday & Saturday: 11am – 11pm 6706-C Phillips Place Ct. | 704-749-2949

2021

The year in photos THIS PAST YEAR WAS AN UNFORGETTABLE ONE. AMID ALL THE CHALLENGES, THERE WERE MOMENTS OF JOY, POSITIVITY AND, CERTAINLY, CREATIVITY. HERE, WE LOOK BACK AT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM 2021.

MARCH

From tide to table Wilmington fisherwoman Ana Shellem photographed by Mallory Cash

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JANUARY Beauty amid chaos Artist Katherine Boxall in her west Charlotte studio.

Photo by Peter Taylor

FEBRUARY All rise Douglas and Kaitlin Rose of Team Rose Bread in their carportturned-bakeshop. Photo by Peter Taylor

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MARCH Lovely layers Myers Park music room designed by Cashion Hill Design. Photograph by Dustin Peck

SEPTEMBER The IT List Regine Bechtler at Mint Museum Randolph. Photograph by Richard Israel. Produced by Whitley Adkins

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MAY Juggling act Janet LaBar, president and CEO of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, photographed by Olly Yung. Styling by Whitley Adkins and makeup by Josiah Reed.

JUNE Southern splendor Model Spencer Kane photographed by Chris Edwards at the Green Boundary Club in Aiken, S.C. Styling by Whitley Adkins and hair and makeup by Meredith Wetzel for Bella Faccia in Augusta, Ga.

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JULY Dropping anchor Wade and Hodges Miller photographed at their Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home on Selwyn Avenue by Chris Edwards. Styling by Whitley Adkins and makeup by Josiah Reed.

AUGUST Shore story Model Dierra Davis (Directions USA) photographed by Mira Adwell at Bald Head Island. Styling by Whitley Adkins and hair and makeup by Janis Lozano.

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MAY Bold standard Artist Lauren Reddick at home photographed by Laura Sumrak

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NOVEMBER Spirits that sparkle Science is for Girls cocktail at Supperland, photographed by Justin Driscoll.

OCTOBER Fall fling On location in Roanoke, Va., photographed by Olly Yung. Styling by Whitley Adkins and hair and makeup by Josiah Reed. Models Lane McAllister and Noelle Hunt with Modelogic Mid Atlantic.

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A HOLIDAY GUIDE FEATURING SOME OF CHARLOTTE’S FAVORITE LOCAL AND REGIONAL BUSINESSES. Hazel SouthPark | Henderson Ventures, Inc. | Ziba Luxury Salon & Spa Beau Monde Venues | Hot Glass Alley | Midwood Guitar Studio Tuck Team Real Estate - Cottingham Chalk Visit Winston Salem | Charlotte Preparatory School Hearth and Patio | The Mint Museum Store Blumenthal Performing Arts Center The Sporting Reserve at Chetola Resort

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