West End's Best November/December 2014

C O S M E T I C D E N T IS T RY • O R T H O D O N T I C S • P E R I O D O N T I C S • E N D O D O N T I C S • I M P L A N T S • S E DAT I O N • CH I L DRE N ’S DE N T I S T RY

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RichmondNavigator.com 13November/December 2014

First of All News from Around Town

Volunteering After 50 It’s Better than Kale!

Green Life Adventure Sports Gear Up and Go Outside

FinanceSchool Daze

HealthCreating a Beautiful Smile

FlavorIn Search ofInternational Dishes

Kona GrillSushi and Sliders?

Calendar of EventsLocal Happenings

HomeVenetian MarbleTransform Your Bathroom

Home Automation No Longer a Thing of the Future

The Perfect Host How to Make Your Home Inviting

TravelEnjoy a Real WinterBayfield, Wisconsin

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2014 SHOPPER‘S GUIDEThink outside the big box store for

finding unique items for yourself, your home, and your family and friends.

27 EMBRACING VIRGINIA’S WINTER

Discover plenty of ways to create unforgettable experiences by embracing Virginia’s chill.

62

RICHMOND’S SPECIALTY FOOD STORES

Explore gourmet, local, healthy, and natural grocery stores in your neighborhood.

51

Features

14 West End 's Bes t

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Celebrate!

THE HOLIDAYS are the perfect time to take a step back and celebrate your values! This month’s issue of West End’s Best magazine can inspire you to affirm what means the most to you, to finish off 2014 with memories that last for life.

With family and friends, celebration means spending meaningful time together and com-memorating your love and affection with gifts from the heart. This month’s column by designer Vicki O’Neal offers tips for seasonal hosting, for entertaining guests in your home. Our annual Shopper’s Guide provides gift suggestions from local vendors. Thumb slowly through these pages, taking time to ponder your loved ones and consider their needs and desires. Take time to find the perfect tribute to that special person!

Does making your home safer and more convenient rank high among your values? Erin Pittman’s look at automated home technology gives you insight into marvelous new possibilities: monitoring your home from afar; automating light switches, window treatments, and temperature; home security; and more – conveniences that make it exciting to live in contemporary times.

Whether looking for safe, healthful foods for yourself and your family or for delectable gourmet gifts, this month’s comparison of local specialty food markets can guide you in the right direction.

You and your loved ones may value shared travel memories. From the real winter recreation of northeast Wisconsin to cold weather pastimes here in Virginia, this month’s travel transports you to unforgettable winter destinations.

If you value benevolence – reaching out to touch the lives of others – you’ll enjoy Constance Whitney’s whimsical look at volunteer opportunities. She’ll no doubt convince you that volun-teerism is better than kale.

And if your family is like mine, special times are often built around meals together. Our Flavor section this month highlights international restaurants, with delectable dishes like Korean bibimbob, Mexican Sopa de Pollo, Italian Ossobuco, and more, bringing tastes of the nations to your plate.

Although celebrating family and friends is important year-round, let this month’s issue of West End’s Best be a reminder to finish off 2014 by affirming your values!

Annie [email protected]

A PUBLICATION OF

ALL ARTICLES AND CONTENTS OF THIS MAGA ZINE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE OPINIONS OR THOUGHTS OF WEST END’S BEST MAGA ZINE,

ADVERTISING CONCEPTS, INC OR THE PUBLISHER.

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHERWilliam J. Davis, Jr.

VICE-PRESIDENT/PUBLISHERCheryl T. Davis

MANAGING EDITORAnnie Tobey

ASSISTANT EDITORSSteve Cook, Tammie Wersinger

CREATIVE DIRECTORJoseph Wharton

GRAPHIC DESIGNERNora Bollinger

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTSJared Davis, Joe May

CUSTOMER SERVICE CONSULTANTColleen MacCabe

DISTRIBUTION MANAGERJustin Warner

PHOTOGRAPHERSRick Bancroft, Miguel Betancourt,

Katie Bonner, Sergey Golub, Temple Hill, Helen Stoddard, Robert Thomas

CONTRIBUTORSSteve Cook, Davy Jones, Sarah Lockwood,

Jeff Majer, Vicki O'Neal, Erin Pittman, Jody Rathgeb, Constance Whitney

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ABOUT OUR COVERExplore gourmet, local, healthy, and natural grocery stores in your neighborhood.

Photo courtesy of Harvest Grocery & Supply.

FROM THE EDITOR

MY DAUGHTER RACHEL DURING OUR RECENT TRIP TO AUSTRALIA: MERGING TWO OF MY VALUES, FAMILY AND TRAVEL.


Three Popular Richmond Food Establishments Coming to Short Pump

FIRST OF ALL

FINE DINING, burgers, and premium ice cream – West Enders will soon have new options nearby, great food from popular local businesses.

FINE DININGThe Boathouse at Sunday Park has been serving seafood, steaks, and other popular cuisine at their waterfront Woodlake location in Chesterfield County for over 25 years, for everyday dining and special occasions. Their downtown Rockett’s Landing location is five years old. The Boathouse has plans to open their third location at Short Pump Town Center in spring 2015, under the Hyatt House Hotel. The space is 5,800 square feet and will include a large patio for outdoor dining.

“We’re looking forward to getting to know our new neighbors in the West End,” owner Kevin Healy said. “It’s such a vibrant community and we hope to see it attract more local businesses in the years to come.”

BURGERSWhile the name may seem a bit out of place in Short Pump, Carytown Burgers & Fries will undoubtedly find a warm West End welcome when they open in Towne Center West, just west of Short Pump Town Center, in January 2015. The new space will have 200 seats and two patios, much larger than the original restaurant.

That original burger spot has been operating in Carytown since 2001. The small but popular restaurant is at 3500 1/2 W. Cary St. (entrance at

the rear of the building). A second location in Lakeside on Richmond’s Northside opens in November.

The menu at all three locations includes basic burgers and 21 specialty burgers – like The California, with guacamole, Swiss cheese, and bacon; The Kojak, with bacon, egg, and cheese plus The Works; and The Greek Geek, with tzatziki sauce, Feta cheese, roasted red peppers, and crushed garlic. Carytown Burgers & Fries also provides a range of other options, from hot dogs to salads and eight special vegan/vegetarian sandwiches.

ICE CREAMWest Enders won’t have to wait so long for the third location of Gelati Celesti ice cream, which opens in mid-November in the Corner at Short Pump. This Richmond business has served “heavenly handmade ice cream” for over 25 years.

Gelati Celesti uses Italian equipment that minimizes air in the ice cream, making it more dense, flavorful, and creamy. They boast of using the best ingredients and feature flavors from the vanilla to the unexpected: seasonal favorites like Pumpkin Ginger Snap and Eggnog and special features such as Dixie Donut, Almond Joy, S’Mores, Strawberry Kiwi Ice, Salted Caramel, and Just Ask.

Gelati Celesti is already available in the West End at 8906 W. Broad St. in Gold’s Gym Plaza, in Chesterfield at 3004 Stony Point Rd. at Stony Point Shopping Center, and at their traveling food truck.

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J.R. Tucker High School: Local Theater, International Festival

House Tours at Windsor Farms to Benefit St. Catherine’s Scholarship Fund

WHILE ANTICIPATING their participation in the 2015 Fringe Festival, J.R. Tucker High School Drama Department rehearses for Jekyll & Hyde, continuing to be pioneers in local high school theater. The cast of 36 students is learning choreography, music, and movement for the performances on December 10-13.

J.R. Tucker High School’s Drama Department has grown considerably over the past 10 years under the direction of Lisa Dyer. Her approach to teaching theater is student centered and includes challenging shows ( Jesus Christ Superstar, Fuddy Meers, Pride and Prejudice, Jekyll & Hyde, Othello).

One element that sets J.R. Tucker High School’s musicals apart is the live orchestra. Under the musical direction of Clint Miller, the commitment to keeping a live student orchestra as part of the production has been paramount.

“There is so much talent on this campus. Live music just makes the entire experience more authentic for the performers and the audience,” Dyer says.

It takes eight weeks of intense rehearsal to mount a show. Dyer designs a set that parents and students build from scratch each year. Students also design lights and manage the backstage crew during the run of the show.

“The students take their responsibilities very seriously,” says Dyer, “and it teaches them so much, not only about theater but about life skills. This really is the ultimate learning environment for these students.”

The rigor students undertake behind the scenes has paid off. J.R. Tucker High School has been selected by the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF) to perform at the 2015 Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, August 2015. Thousands of schools were asked to apply but only 41 were selected from the U.S. and Canada to perform. Getting selected to perform at the Fringe Festival is an honor granted to high school theater programs based on their recent bodies of work, awards, community involvement, philosophies, and recommendations. AHSTF promotes this program as “Showcasing the Finest in High School Theatre at the World ’s Premier Arts Festival” (AHSTF.org).

“It’s unreal that these students will serve as cultural ambassadors at an event like this,” Dyer exclaims. “I’m so excited for them!”

More information about J.R. Tucker’s performances at the Fringe and their upcoming production of Jekyll & Hyde can be found at JRTuckerDramaBoosters.Squarespace.com.

EVER WANTED TO get a peek inside some of those gorgeous homes in Wind-sor Farms? On Sunday, Dec. 7, you can do just that. Five exquisite homes will be open for tours, including Garland, an architectural gem and one of the historic neighborhood’s original homes.

Historic Garland, a masterful English manor house, was designed by famed architect Henry Grant Morse, blending Tudor style with crea-tive embellishments, like linenfold carvings and artisanal plasterwork. In other notable touches, the iron gates were designed by Charles Gil-lette and the mantelpiece in the study is from 1606, probably the oldest intact non-in-situ wooden mantelpiece in North America. Venetian glass casts pastel-hued sunlight on the beautiful furnishings. Garland at 4603 Sulgrave is an impressive architectural masterpiece, with stunning decorations and furnishings.

Another house on the tour, at 103 Canterbury Rd., is a 1927 Tudor Revival home. The interior achieves a balance of modern utility while preserving and emphasizing traditional Tudor charm. Of particular note

is the Jacobean staircase with newel caps reminiscent of the staircase at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire.

The home at 105 Penshurst Rd. is as notable for what’s inside as for its 1939 architectural beauty. The owner’s experience as an interior designer is evident in the lacquered furniture and brightly colored fabrics as well as the stunning art collection, including pieces by Richard Stone Reeves, Brad Livingstone-Black, and Roger Muhl.

Other homes on the tour are at 403 Old Locke Ln., where a white frame Colonial residence balances modern comfort with Virginia charm and features a stunning landscape designed by Charles Gil-lette ; and a Dutch Colonial at 4502 Coventry Rd., resplendent with the architectural elements of the genre plus stunning artwork and striking chinoiserie.

St. Catherine’s School Holiday House TourDec. 7 • 1-4 p.m.

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out the awkward dating scenarios. Both volunteers looking for a cause and caus-es looking for volunteers are included in their easily navigated website. It is through HandsOn that I found Hit-ting Cancer Below the Belt (HCB2.org), a Richmond-based organization dedicated to educating, advocating and eliminating cancer. Since I’m a “below the belt” cancer survivor, this volunteer opportunity was exactly what I was seeking!

You can find the volunteer op-portunity of your dreams, too. Con-servatively, there are about 10,000 current volunteer opportunities in the area. When you add in Borneo and the Peace Corps, millions of options are out there. Giving back, paying it forward, doing it for your health – whatever cliché you want to sing, the bottom line is that we, as seniors, have much to offer to many who need us. Volunteer today!

See you in Borneo!

SENIORS

PAY IT FORWARD! Help others! Time to give back! It’s good for your health?

It’s true! Volunteering is healthy! According to research by the Corporation for National and Community Service (NationalService.org), volunteering leads to better health, and older volunteers (that’s us!) are the most likely to receive physical and mental health benefits from their volunteer activities. The research shows that those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional abil-ity, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer. Translation: if you volunteer, you can eat more chocolate (okay, maybe that wasn’t in the study, but let’s go with it anyway)!

When my kids were younger, I was a volunteering junkie. Fundraising chairperson, chaperone, clean-up crew – it seemed in those days that my hand was perpetually raised and the only words I seemed to know were “Sure, I’ll help!” And while all of those experiences were rewarding, they were all centered around my children’s activities. Now that I’ve moved out of the perpetual-team-taxi/bake-sale-queen stage of my life, it’s time to reinvent the volunteer in me.

I turn to Google – the virtual keeper of all knowledge – for inspiration and ideas on what volunteering at this stage of my life looks like.

Volunteering vacations (“volcations”) pique my interest. Opportunities for

international travel combined with vol-unteering opportunities are available all over the world. One of my favorites: Orangutan.org takes 13 volunteers at a time on a two-week trip to Borneo to work with the wild orangutans at Camp Leakey – just like in the movie Born to be Wild, though sadly Morgan Freeman is not part of the package. Another great opportunity, Global-Volunteers.org, provides volcations to over 19 countries around the world and focuses on eradicating hunger, improv-ing health, and enhancing the IQ of people, rather than orangutans.

With more vacation days banked up than I could possibly use, and after making sure that “upgraded” accom-modations were available (tents, sleep-ing bags and bug netting are not my idea of a vacation, volunteer or other-wise), I work out the math. Volcations are not cheap, though probably cheaper than visiting one of these locations as a tourist. The Borneo option will run me about $5,000, and teaching English in China with Global Volunteers will cost about $3,500, not including airfare. Yikes! But remember, this is good for my health! My doctor will be proud.

While wait-ing for my ac-ceptance from the Borneo folks, I continue my searching. Did you know that the Peace Corps accepts seniors? Currently, about five percent of the 7,500 deployed Peace Corps volunteers are seniors or retired and the number is growing each year. Both skilled and semi-skilled

volunteers are welcome and the des-tinations are spread over six of the seven continents. The 27-month as-signments, though, might be a little tough to sell to my boss. (“Hello, Den-ise, I need some time off...”) Perhaps I need to look closer to home.

HandsOn Greater Richmond is an amazing organization that works somewhat like eHarmony.com, with-

By Constance Whitney

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Now that I’ve moved out of the perpetual-team-taxi/bake-sale-queen stage of my life, it’s time to reinvent the volunteer in me.

volunteering after 50It’s Better Than Kale!

check out these websites for more

volunteering ideas

local

HandsOnRVA.org

RichmondHabitat.org

RichmondSPCA.org/volunteer

YourUnitedWay.org

RMHC-Richmond.org (Ronald McDonald House)

national

NPS.gov/GetInvolved/Volunteer.htm

NationalService.gov/programs/Senior-Corps

IRS.gov/Individuals/IRS-Tax-Volunteers

HelpFromHome.org

PointsOfLight.org

RetiredBrains.com/Senior-Living-Resources/Volunteering

international

CrossCulturalSolutions.org

GoECO.org

www.PeaceCorps.gov/50plus


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AS ONE OF the best outdoor communities in the nation, Richmond deserves a profes-

sional, local outdoor outfitter. Enter GreenLife Adventure Sports, an active contributor to the local outdoor commu-nity, offering quality brands and expert customer service in all things climbing, yoga, hiking, backpacking, and trail running. Owner Tommy Dunn and partner Matt Hayden got their starts in the same Norfolk Boy Scout troop, though several years apart. Before meet-ing and going into business together, both thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, Dunn taking the southbound route in 1998 and Hayden taking the 2,200 miles northbound in 2012. Their passion for the outdoors and conservation is at the heart of GreenLife’s mission.

Just as the Norfolk store celebrated its two-year anniversary, GreenLife opened its second location in the Westpark Shop-ping Center at 9691 W. Broad St. in Glen

Allen. Customers can expect a comfort-able, friendly, and helpful experience. The store is staffed with outdoor specialists who spend their free time hiking, leading trips, and studying outdoor recreation. And they know their gear.

After Burnie, Hayden’s lovable golden retriever, welcomes you at the door, this passionate knowledgeable staff will help you find what you need. Whether they’re fitting your backpack or demonstrating a stove, it’s important to everyone at GreenLife that you get the right equipment, and that you understand how to use and enjoy it.

“We want to make sure that we get people in the right things the first time,” says Hayden, the general manager of GreenLife’s Richmond location. “The main thing is not having to think about your gear while you’re using it. Everything should work the right way so you can enjoy the experience.”

GreenLife carries outdoor apparel, footwear, and equipment. The inviting

specialty store is filled with more Patagonia variety than you can imagine, plus other high quality brands, including Arc’teryx,

prAna, Chaco, Mountain Hard-wear, and Merrell.

“We’re out there on the trails, we’re able to see what peo-ple want,” says Hayden, explain-

ing GreenLife’s involvement in the local community allows them to tune in to Richmonders’ equipment and apparel needs.

But getting Richmond outfitted in top-quality gear is not GreenLife’s only goal. They want you to go outside and use it, too.

“It’s about getting people out there and enjoying what they have now so that they’re able to take care of it and preserve it,” says Hayden, noting that GreenLife partners with environmentally conscious brands such as Patagonia and prAna.

GreenLife hosts events to bring that community together and encourage nature appreciation, including yoga classes, hiking and camping trips, movie nights, and clinics on everything from Leave No Trace to canine adventure gear.

“What we’re trying to do is use outdoor retail as a platform to encourage environmental conservation and environmental stewardship,” says Dunn, who encourages customers to sit down, have a cup of coffee, and share stories about their latest adven-tures. “Part of the reason we came to Richmond is the wonderful, vibrant outdoor community that already existed here. It’s very humbling and rewarding to be a part of that and to have so much positive feedback from the existing outdoor community.”

GreenLife Adventure Sports9691 W Broad St, Glen Allen // 804-716-8145

GreenLifeAdventureSports.com

By Sarah Lockwood

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WHILE STANDING THERE on the curb, right after putting your child on the school bus for the very first time, do you recall thinking, “How did she grow up so fast? Where has the time

gone?” Well, if you remember that, you’re going to be blown away when you’re helping her pack to go off to college. My, where did the time go?

I just read an article by J.P. Morgan Funds about how few parents ever get around to saving for their child’s college education. The same article said that 69 percent of those who are saving for college are using short-term accounts with potential earnings less than current annual tuition inflation. They are also missing the fact that these same accounts may be taxed up to 43.4 percent, based on the new tax rates. Maybe there’s the expectation of my little Einstein or Michael Jordan getting a full-ride scholarship. That same article showed while 82 percent apply for free aid, only 0.3 percent get that full ride.

In a moment of more rational thought, you should give consideration to the Virginia 529 College Savings Plan. Each state has its own 529 plan aligned with a mutual fund company. These plans allow you to create an account, invest in market-based or fixed products, have earning potential on a tax-deferred basis, and, if the money gets used for college expenses, it becomes totally tax free. Virginia also offers a tax deduction of up to $4,000 per year per child.

If you are hoping your child will attend a state-supported school like Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, or James Madison University, current costs run about $21,000 per year. If you have a 10-year-old and we assume college tuition inflation to be five percent per year, a four-year education will cost $147,000. If you start a 529 plan today and assume a six percent per year return on investments, you will need to invest about $900 per month. If you wait three more years to get started, you’ll then need to invest $1,415 a month. Wait five more years and it becomes $2,615. The cost of waiting is tremendous. These 529 plans are a wonderful tool to use. The possible tax-free earning potential and state tax deductions make them unmatched in your arsenal.

We are nearing the holiday season. I would suggest you get the grandparents to consider contributions to their favorite grandchild’s 529 plan instead of something that will ultimately get thrown away. That education will pay divi-dends for their lifetime.

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G. Carl Mahler, Jr. is a Certified Financial Planner®. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Any opinions are those of G. Carl Mahler, Jr. and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. All examples are hypothetical illustrations and are not intended to ref lect the actual performance of any particular se-curity. Investment yields will f luctuate with market conditions. Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses associated with 529 college savings plans before investing. More information about 529 college savings plans is available in the issuer’s official statement. The official statement is available through your financial advisor, and should be read carefully before investing. Before investing, it is important to consider whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

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type water heaters. Removing the water storage tank in your home will eliminate all chance of it rupturing and flooding your home with fifty or so gallons of 120 degree water. It will also free up some floor space if you need it. Tankless water heaters really do save money. If you have a tank-type water heater, you are paying for energy to keep 20-50 gallons of water 120 degrees all day and night. With a tankless water heater you only use energy when the hot water is running. They are cleaner because the water is not stored in a tank that can deteriorate. And lastly, using less energy and less water will leave behind a bet-ter world for your children and their children.

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PEOPLE COME IN ALL shapes and sizes, and so do teeth and faces. Sometimes, though, nature doesn’t provide a perfectly matched pair; that is, sometimes the teeth that nature provides don’t show off the

face as well as we’d like.A combination of cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers, orthodontics,

crowns, or enamel reshaping might just add up to a smile you’ll want to show more often.

We’re all conscious of how others see us and how our physical features complement each other. Your height, for example, can make a difference in which teeth get a high profile. If you’re short, your lower front teeth get the spotlight, since they’re seen from above. Taller folks need to be aware of the appearance of their upper front teeth, since they’re seen from slightly below. If front teeth are crooked, worn, chipped, or discolored – even on the biting edges – we may be able to minimize these negative features and accentuate the strengths of your smile.

Our experience in designing attention-grabbing smiles can show you it’s often desirable to deemphasize a long face by flattening the smile line, or to balance out a rounder, wider face by lengthening front teeth.

Every person is unique, and so is every smile. Our office team will work with you to achieve a satisfying harmony between your face and your smile.

Redesigning your smile requires a lot of discussion, questions, suggestions

Virginia Family Dentistry: Creating a Beautiful Smile for You!

– and time. It’s your smile, so we’ll take the time to recommend all the options we feel are right for your improved appearance, and the time to lis-ten to you – the most important member of our “smile-design team.”

Does this sound like the kind of individual attention you’re looking for? Call one of our eleven locations and schedule a consultation. Let us tell you know how we can create a beau-tiful smile especially for you!

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AS THE SEASON FOR SHOPPING BEGINS, think outside the big box store for finding unique items for yourself, your home and your family and friends. Check out what some of our local retailers are offering in the Richmond area.

SHOPPER’S GUIDE


W E S T E N D ’ S B E S T

“CHIC HOME FURNISHINGS, modern tableware, and unique accessories” – that’s the Fraîche mantra.

In 2013, Fraîche relocated around the block from its quaint home on Libbie to a bigger and brighter storefront on Grove Avenue, with more opportunities to let the Fraîche style shine. From chic dining chairs with rustic f lair to a luxurious col-lection of tableware and glassware, their style infuses clean lines with a touch of coastal elegance.

With Fraîche’s fashionable product lines, you can be assured that your purchases will be stylish and classy. Seasonal events and specials introduce customers to the latest brands as well as ways to get more value with their purchases.

Through the years, Fraîche’s enthusiastic staff has helped Richmonders find the perfect gifts for weddings, baby showers, and the holidays with a style that spells relaxed yet refined – always fresh. The staff at Fraîche takes pride in developing a personal rela-tionship with customers, eager to be an important and enjoyable part of Richmonders’ shopping experiences, both in-store and online.

Since the store opened in 2008, it’s seen the Westhampton area transform into the upscale shopping district it is today. Lined with sophisticated boutiques and cafés, the neighborhood at the cross streets of Libbie and Grove has evolved into a true shopping destination. Perfect for spending a day with friends or for exploring with out-of-town relatives, window-shopping “on the Avenues” is fabulously fun.

5805 GROVE AVE. | RICHMOND | 804-282-4282 | MON-FRI: 10-5, SAT: 10-4FraicheHome.net

FRAÎCHE


2 0 1 4 S H O P P E R ’ S G U I D E

ALICE MCQUEEN CONSIGNMENT is upscale resale at its finest. With an open, inviting space, the store has the feel of a New York City

boutique. The emphasis on quality over quantity allows for the space to remain uncluttered. Alice McQueen Consignment offers customers and consigners the best in upscale resale and rental. Women can shop and rent current looks for less or sell pieces from their own wardrobe – the latest runway designs and the best contemporary looks.

The inventory consists of many hard-to-find labels such as Alice + Olivia, Gucci, Rebecca Minkoff, Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg, and Louis Vuitton. The owner, Mimi Tanaka, has a network of nationwide consigners that allows her to pull most of the store’s inventory from LA and NYC. She is the one and only employee and is there seven days a week, so you will be sure to have a unique and personal shopping experience.

Don’t have the time to make it to the West End to check out the store? Check out AliceMcQueenConsignment.com for a full listing of handbags, shoes, outerwear, skirts, tops, and dresses. You can have the items shipped directly to your home or ready for in-store pick up at your convenience.

Alice McQueen Consignment is like shopping in your fabulous best friend’s closet!

2235 OLD BRICK RD. | GLEN ALLEN | 804-364-1500AliceMcQueenConsignment.com

ALICE MCQUEEN CONSIGNMENT

Chanel Lambskin Petite Timeless Tote

WOULD YOU LIKE to make your home warmer, more comfortable, and more beautiful with quality products that enhance both your family’s comfort and your house’s value?

Founded in 2002 as Bon Air Better Living Products, the company’s goal was to provide personalized service and products to clients who were looking for gas f ireplaces, gas logs, and hearth products along with outdoor grills and whole house generators. After several years, this small family-owned business decided to expand and offer an even wider assortment of custom products. In 2011, they began trading as Bon Air Hearth, Porch and Patio and added custom patio furniture, outdoor heating and cooling, custom awnings and umbrellas, and an expanded outdoor grill selection to their offerings. The staff ’s focus is on outstanding, personalized customer service, doing whatever is necessary to ensure that you, the customer, are happy.

The emphasis is on American-made “investment products” that you will only buy once to enhance your home and enjoy for a lifetime. As the temperature continues to drop, stop in this beautiful showroom to see the latest trends in fireplaces that will keep you and your loved ones warm this holiday season. Let Bon Air Hearth, Porch and Patio help you design the indoor and outdoor living spaces of your dreams.

8801 FOREST HILL AVE. | RICHMOND | 804-320-3600BonAirHearthPorchAndPatio.com

BON AIR HEARTH, PORCH AND PATIO



IN AN EVER-CHANGING music industry, one thing has endured: music les-sons. You still have to learn to play your instrument of choice. You can’t just download the knowledge; it takes instruction and practice.

Education was the foundation for owners Paul King and Wesley Pollard of Rhapsody Piano & Guitar. Both men share a lifelong passion for music and a desire to educate today’s young musicians in an atmosphere reminiscent of the ‘fun’ music store of days gone by. In the years since they’ve been open, thy have seen tremendous growth. They teach piano, voice, and guitar and now have 12 teachers and approximately 200 students.

In addition to the music school, Rhapsody is Richmond’s only authorized dealer for Yamaha pianos, perhaps the finest and most recognized brand in the industry. Artists like Elton John and Paul McCartney are just a few of the names that choose Yamaha. Rhapsody also offers a select variety of used and vintage pianos in every price range.

If it’s a guitar you are looking for, then you will have to check out their brand-new guitar showroom, featuring over 70 new and used instruments. The selection is unique with everything from beginner models to high-end collectible and vintage pieces.

In addition to the instruments, Rhapsody offers a broad selection of musi-cal accessories, sheet music, and gifts in a fun and music-loving atmosphere and if you can’t find what you are looking for they can find/order it for you. If you are looking for a piano, guitar, lessons, or just advice on your musical needs, Rhapsody Piano & Guitar is the perfect place to start.

11527 W. BROAD ST. | RICHMOND | 804-364-4488RhapsodyPiano.com

RHAPSODY GUITARAND PIANO

THE PINK RIBBON BOUTIQUE & BRAS is a rare specialty shop striving to help women of all ages and stages in life.

Whether you are experiencing hair loss, cancer treatment, surgery, or lymphedema, or just in need of a perfectly fitted bra, the boutique offers products and services to help you look great and feel better.

Lynn Woody from Debbie’s Foundations & Apparel has joined the staff, bringing with her 14 years of bra-fitting experience. In addition to their mastectomy line of bras, the Pink Ribbon Boutique now carries bras for sizes 30A-56N. They carry swimsuits, and nursing bras, plus longline strapless bras and girdles for bridal and formal wear, from Elila, Wacoal, Anita, and more!

Many items have been carefully selected with the special needs of the cancer survivor in mind, including garments designed for use with mastec-tomy or lumpectomy prostheses, reconstruction, augmentation or reduction, venous disorders and lymphedema.

The Boutique also carries sleepwear that works well both at home and in hospital settings, plus prostheses, a year-round swimwear collection, stylish hats, scarves, turbans, wigs, skin care products, and shampoos.

The Pink Ribbon Boutique aims to bring joy and comfort to clients. They accept most insurance. Hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Drop by the boutique or call to schedule a fitting or personal consultation.

8801 THREE CHOPT RD. | RICHMOND | 804-282-4679ThePinkRibbonBoutique.com

THE PINK RIBBON BOUTIQUE


“THIS IS ALMOST like an art warehouse,” owner Jenni Kirby says of her Crossroads Arts Center, located near Willow Lawn. With literally thousands of pieces of art beauti-fully displayed in this 25,000-square-foot facility, Crossroads offers one of the city’s most amazing outlets for shoppers in search of truly unique, one-of-a-kind gift ideas.

More than 225 artists-in-residence have come together at Crossroads to offer, as Kirby says, “everything from paintings to pottery to photography to sculpture to woodworking pieces.” While the average price of these original artworks runs between $250 and $500, Kirby says you can purchase anything from a postcard size painting for $3.50 (easy to mail!) to an 8’ by 10’ painting for $25,000.

“Pottery, jewelry and woodworking are our most popular gift items,” Kirby says. “Scarves and holiday ornaments are also shoppers’ favorites, as are the handcrafted soaps.” If the vast selection makes it difficult to decide just what to give, give a gift certificate.

On Nov. 21, the Crossroads Art Center will be holding an open house featuring the works of local artists, along with food trucks, bands, and other entertainment. The Crossroads Art Center is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday (until 6 p.m. on Sundays, starting Nov. 23).

For more information on currently featured artists and for directions, visit their website.

WHETHER FOR THE holidays to spruce up the family room, for Thanksgiving to enhance the dining room, or for any occasion, “Rugs make a great gift,” says Amir Zinat, owner of Amir Rug Exchange.

When you purchase one of his Persian rugs or carpets, you’re not just purchasing a rug, he says: “You’re purchasing a piece of folk art.”

Most of the rugs and carpets come from Iran, with a few from India and China. “These rugs are handmade in the private homes of the villagers,” says Amir. “It may take a family a year or more to create this one rug,” he says, pointing to one of the many beautiful Persian rugs on display in the spacious showroom.

Amir says that the Amir Rug Exchange selection is the largest in the state. They carry rugs as small as one foot by one foot, but they specialize in room-sized and oversized rugs and carpets.

Amir’s father started the business over 50 years ago. The company’s longevity, Amir says, is a credit to their honesty, consideration, customer service, and low pricing – including their low-price guarantee.

Outstanding selection, lifetime guarantee, and unbeatable prices – it’s all at Amir Rug Exchange.

2016 STAPLES MILL RD. | RICHMOND | 804-278-8950CrossroadsArtCenter.com

2004 STAPLES MILL RD. (CROSSROADS SHOPPING CENTER) RICHMOND | 804-358-1711AmirRugExchange.com

CROSSROADS ART CENTER

AMIR RUGEXCHANGE



TIMES CHANGE. So do traditions. One thing that hasn’t changed is the joy of giving and receiving flowers. It’s a timeless expression of love and appreciation.

For the past 30 years, in the Richmond area, no one has done it quite so well as has Vogue Flowers and Gifts Ltd. “Richmonders have voted us the best florist in the region for the past 18 consecutive years,” says Vogue’s founder and president, Steve Papoulakos. The reasons for this acclaim, according to Papoulakos, are exactly the reasons Vogue Flowers needs to be at the top of your shopping list this year.

“It’s our consistent quality, service, and selection,” he says. “We grow some of our cut flowers locally on our own farm in Hanover.” That includes many of the peonies, hydrangeas, zinnias and sunflowers offered in Vogue’s six area locations. Many that they don’t grow are obtained from other local growers.

However, depending on the specific flower you seek and the time of year, you’ll also have flowers from virtually every part of the globe at your fingertips when you visit Vogue Flowers.

Vogue’s buyers work with growers from Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico, as well as Australia, Holland, and Israel. “If it’s available anywhere on earth, we can get it for you,” Papoulakos says.

Hand-delivered poinsettias, holiday flower arrangements, and plants are the perfect way for businesses to show their clients how much they appreciate them. A blooming plant or a beautiful holiday arrangement is always a welcome sight.

“Whether you need to send a gift in town or across the country,” Papoulakos says, “our personal service makes it easy and convenient to send the perfect gift with just the right message.”

If you’re sending a gift outside the area, Vogue does not charge wire service fees. This can save you up to fifteen dollars or more per order. And speaking of prices, Papoulakos says, “Nobody beats our prices.”

“If a wedding is in your future, we can help make your special day even more beautiful than you can imagine for less than you think,” he says. “Our bridal department and talented wedding floral designers can create any look you desire and work within your budget.

“We are the only florist offering DIY seminars. We offer cut flowers and supplies at wholesale prices. You can work in our design room and create your own arrangements, then you may store them in our refrigerators. We have all the tools and accessories you need to do it yourself.

“Check us out on Facebook and Pinterest to see our amazing wedding crea-tions and use this as a starting point for your own wedding ideas.”

Papoulakos adds, “Vogue distinguishes itself as a local family florist and offers value and service beyond compare. Come see us for the holidays or any of your personal special occasions, year round. Visit us on the web, Facebook, and Pinterest or come to one of our shops.”

1114 NORTH BLVD. (MAIN LOCATION) | RICHMOND | 804-353-9600VogueFlowers.com

VOGUE FLOWERS


For 10 years, Tweed has been helping its customers find that perfect gift for everyone on their list, from one-of-a-kind products to personalized items. Tweed offers delightful products for the home, as well as gifts for women, men, tweens and babies.

At Tweed, you’ll find unique, eye-catching works of art from local artisans – you’ll find a special gift while supporting the community. Twice a year, Tweed buyers travel to Atlanta to find new ideas, bringing an extensive line of unique products home to Richmonders. The store carries hundreds of different vendors and products, including popular brands like Vera Bradley, Spartina, Mariposa, Catstudio, Scout, Tervis Tumblers, and many more.

Besides the wide variety of gifts and accessories, you can make your gift unique with personalization! Almost anything in the store can be personalized within 24 to 48 hours. And you can finish your gift shopping with complimentary gift-wrapping.

Whatever the occasion – holiday, wedding, birthday, graduation, or just for fun – and whoever the recipient – brides, graduates, hostesses, children, teens, men and women – Tweed can help you find a gift that’s sure to please.

Since 2004, this local, independent family business has emphasized the best of customer service. Tweed will not only make your shopping experience fruitful, they make it enjoyable.

4035 LAUDERDALE DR. | RICHMOND | 804-249-3900TweedAtHome.com

TWEED

2 0 1 4 S H O P P E R ’ S G U I D E

WANT TO GET your pool, hot tub, and outdoor living needs fulfilled by the Official Hot Tub Provider of the Washington Redskins Training Camp? Then head out to Pla-Mor Pools. Their two stores, conveniently located in Mechanicsville and Ashland, are full-service destinations, your one stop shops for all things outdoor living.

In addition to an extensive inventory of products – spas, above-ground pools, vinyl liner replacements, pool chemicals, grills and smokers, and all the accessories or toys a pool or spa owner could ever dream of – Pla-Mor Pools offers essential maintenance and repair services. As an authorized warranty repair station, they stock major brand name repair parts. For restoration, maintenance, or repair, Pla-Mor’s trained service techs are ready to assist you.

This established family-owned Central Virginia business has been creating satisfied customers since 1968. They’re known for expertise and reliability. They pride themselves on unmatched quality of products and services as well as on competitive pricing and unsurpassed warranties. Pla-Mor Pools recently received the national Lonza-AquaValue 2014 Retailer of the Year award.

Create your own vacation paradise, a space where you can spend relaxing quality time with family and loved ones throughout the year. You’ll score a touchdown when you fulfill your pool and hot tub needs at Pla-Mor Pools!

7225 BELL CREEK RD. | MECHANICSVILLE | 804-746-5555119 JUNCTION DR. | ASHLAND | 804-798-3667PlaMorPools.com

PLA-MORPOOLS


2 0 1 4 S H O P P E R ’ S G U I D E

HAVE YOU WANTED to update your home but don’t know where to start? Let the friendly staff at Thrill of the Hunt be your guides. This one-of-a-kind, family-owned retail destination is your one stop shop for all things home décor, including an onsite upholsterer plus painters and decorators that can come to your house. They specialize in up-cycling, upholstery, and custom furniture.

“What’s up-cycling?” you ask. It’s transforming that old piece to something new, bringing it back to life! Simple cosmetic and design im-provements magnify the beauty and value. Looking to renew that dated armchair that’s just sitting in your garage? Their talented upholster has you covered.

Besides works from creative local artists, the store also carries in-dustrials – repurposed industrial items like an old toolbox made into a coffee table or an old tobacco cart that becomes a table. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in the store, check out their online auction site, BidSmith.net, for more unique home items.

In addition to helping you with decorating, Thrill of the Hunt can guide you to helpful decorating products, including Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®. The versatile, velvety, matte-finish paint is extremely easy to work with. It can be used inside or outside and on most surfaces.

You’ll be thrilled at Thrill of the Hunt in Ashland, VA.

315 ENGLAND ST. | ASHLAND | 804-368-0184ThrillOfTheHuntVA.com

THRILL OF THE HUNT

A HOME SHOULD REFLECT your heart and your spirit. Roomers Design Shoppe specializes in creating interiors as unique and special as you! They bring ideas to your home, concepts that express your individuality. If these ideas go beyond the fabrics and accessories in the store, Roomers has dozens of great resources to order from. A commitment to helping customers achieve their vision has been a Roomers priority for the last 30 years.

Roomers carries window treatments, vertical and horizontal blinds, pleated and cellular shades, and window shadings, plus bedding, wall cover-ings, and area rugs. Looking for something unique? You’ll find locally made and hard-to-find gifts and an exclusive line of shower curtains and bathroom accessories. Their skilled, experienced designers suggest finishes and furnish-ings that work for you, helping you create custom window coverings that function for your individual lifestyle.

If you are working with a tighter budget, Roomers features an “almost custom” option – valances, draperies, bedding, shower curtains, and table-cloths, created from hundreds of designer fabrics and styles, at a fraction of the price. Simply take the design professionals at Roomers your measurements and pick out the fabric and the style you desire. The finished product usually arrives within one to four weeks. Their professional installer can hang them for you or you can do it yourself.

Come in to get the interior design look you want without spending all of your holiday cash!

1364 GASKINS RD. | HENRICO | 804-740-0231RoomersDesign.com

ROOMERS DESIGN SHOPPE


36 West End 's Bes tIN SEARCH OF INTERNATIONAL DISHES p.39 KONA GRILL p.44

TAZIKI’S

Taziki ’s is a café that spe-cializes in Mediterranean cuisine. Choose from a selection of gyros such as Greek salad, gril led chicken, gril led lamb, and vegetarian. Catering is also available.

4024 Cox Rd.804-747-8294TazikisCafe.com

HAIKU

Haiku sushi and lounge of-fers exceptional food and service for any occasion or budget. Their menu includes fresh sushi, sashimi, maki, and traditional Japanese and Asian Fusion dishes.

2222 E. Cary St.804-658-0621 HaikuRVA.com

FLAVOR

PESCE & VINO

Pesce and Vino features made-from-scratch and au-thentic Italian dishes. Their menu includes items such as pastas, steaks, seafood, and paninis. Don’t miss their ex-tensive beer and wine list to find the perfect drink to pair with your meal.

8801 Three Chopt Rd.804-303-2769PesceAndVino.com

EL CAPORAL

Whether you’re in the mood for a delicious Mexican meal made with the freshest ingredients, or even just chips and a refresh-ing margarita in a fun setting, El Caporal Mexican Restaurant is waiting for you.

1417 E. Ridge Rd. 804-673-1090

spotlights

RichmondNavigator.com 37November/December 2014CALENDAR OF EVENTS p.46 RICHMOND’S SPECIALTY FOOD STORES p.51

OSSO BUCO TORINESE ANGELA’S RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA

For 30 years, Angela’s has been dishing up authentic Italian food in Richmond’s West End, topping the list of favorite Italian restaurants for many locals. Celebrate Angela’s 30th anniversary by treating yourself to the amazing extensive menu, where each dish is specially prepared by Chef Michael Palazzotto himself. Angela’s has recently remodeled and expanded, adding new brick pizzas ovens, and now offers gluten-free options. Book your holiday dinners and private luncheon events. Chef Michael Palazzotto and family look forward to spending this anniversary and many more to come with you. Enjoy their Osso Buco Torinese, braised veal shank served over a saffron polenta with seasoned vegetables and topped with a memorable Barolo wine demi glace.

425 N. Ridge Rd. | 804-288-7483

FLAVORYOUR DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT SOURCE

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In Search of International Dishes

FLAVOR in search of

BIBIMBOB BONCHON

Mom-and-pop fried chicken joints abound in Korea – Bonchon brings that Asian influence to Richmond. Bonchon stores are scattered over the U.S., Brunei, Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand. The name means “hometown,” and their popular bibimbob dish offers a familiar taste of home. The bibimbob is a collaborative creation between Bonchon and you, the diner: the steamed rice and sautéed vegetables, plus a raw egg yolk and your choice of meat, are served in a sizzling hot stone bowl – you mix all of the ingredients together, letting the bowl crisp the rice and cook the egg. And while you stir, let the savory smells of Korea prime your appetite! 8026 W. Broad St. | 804-716-2029 | Bonchon.com

Find more international dishes online at RichmondNavigator.com/Flavor More Dishes on the Next Page

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OSSOBUCO ALLA MILANESE CHIANTI RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA

Chianti uses the finest ingredients and prepares each dish with an infusion of passion and creativity to create a memorable Italian dining experience. Their authentic Ossobucco alla Milanese is made with a braised veal shank with grenolate over risotto and served with roasted potatoes and vegetables. One bite and you’ll be savoring the flavors of the Mediterranean!

1304 Gaskins Rd. | 804-740-5050 | ChiantiRichmond.com

MOM’S SOPA DE POLLO MEXICO RESTAURANT

Delightfully authentic cuisine and friendly service in a festive Mexican setting – since 1990, the Garcia family has brought the flavors of Guadalajara to Central Virginia. Their dishes use the freshest ingredients in traditional tacos and burritos as well as in creative dishes using sophisticated sauces and unusual tastes – “a fiesta for your mouth.” Begin your Mexico experience with Mom’s Sopa de Pollo, a delicious white, natural chicken soup cooked with vegetables and sprinkled with pico de gallo. It’ll whet your appetite for more fresh, delectable Mexican food!

4040 Cox Rd., Innsbrook | 804-290-0400 11621 W. Broad St., Short Pump | 804-360-9446 Mexico-Restaurant.com

in search of international dishes

CHICKEN KEBAB ZORBA’S

The chicken kebab is the best-selling dish for both lunch and dinner at this 25-year-old West End restaurant, where you might just run into Mom and Pop – owners Isabela and Mehmet Akpinar – themselves. The kebab features skewers of tender grilled chicken breast, spiced just right, with mushrooms, onion, and green peppers, served over a bed of rich, oven-baked rice pilaf with optional grilled tomato wedges. You’ll taste the authentic at this popular Greek and Italian dining spot. 9068 W Broad St. | 804-270-6026 | RichmondZorbas.com

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Craft + Design ShowPresented by Altria Group

NOVEMBER 22 + 23, 2014

53 national artists + 10 craft breweriesat the Science Museum of Virginia

visarts.org


FIND US ONLINEMagazine Archives Find old issues from 2012 to today

Calendar of Events Full listingof what’s on in the greater Richmond area

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DINE IN 2NITE HAS your solution – a gift of freshly prepared dinners that are delivered from our commercial kitchen to their door. Dine In 2Nite is a locally owned franchise delivering to many areas in Henrico, Glen Allen, Richmond, and Chesterfield. Gift certificates can be purchased based on the number of meals delivered. Meals are just $10 plus tax with no tipping and no delivery fee.

Owners Mike and Kelli Smith have already seen how the service helps people. “We’ve had numerous customers that are coming home from surgery or having a baby and their friends and family want to support them by providing meals. Additionally, we’ve had children who live out of town set their parents up on the monthly service so they know they are getting a nutritious meal delivered.” This becomes especially important during the cold winter months.

Dine In 2Nite’s core service is a monthly meal subscription where custom-ers can have deliveries on the same days each week or choose week to week when they’d like deliveries based on the menu and their schedule. For those who aren’t sure about a monthly commitment, Dine In 2Nite offers meal packs and trial weeks. There are more than 100 recipes that are rotated daily and, unlike some services that deliver a week’s worth of meals at one time, Dine In

2Nite prepares the meal fresh each day and customers get a delivery each day a meal is ordered. And the best part besides the great taste? Meals are just $10 (+ tax) with no tipping, no delivery fee, and no contract. Because everything is handled up front, there is no monetary transaction at the door. The portions are generous and each meal is delivered in a recyclable and microwavable container.

Dine In 2Nite can also deliver to offices. People appreciate an alternative to pizza or fast food when they are putting in long hours at work. Just a few examples of the menu include: Maple Glazed Baby Back Ribs, Pineapple Sirloin Skewers, and Coconut Tilapia with Apricot Dipping Sauce.

Let Dine In 2Nite simplify life – for you or a loved one – one meal at a time. Call them at 804-922-7835 or email them at [email protected]. Their website is www.Richmond.DineIn2Nite.com.

“We’re just so grateful that we found your service. We’re greatly comforted by the idea that regardless of the other food choices he (dad) may make in a week at least we know he’s received three hot meals that offer more balanced nutrition. Along with a friendly and caring person to say hi … thanks so much for that.”

“What’s a Good Gift for Mom and Dad?”

FLAVOR Dine in 2Nite


FLAVOR Kona Grill

Sushi and Sliders? The Surprising Diversity of Kona GrillBY ANNIE TOBEY | PHOTOS COURTESY OF KONA GRILL

WHAT CAN YOU DO when you don’t all agree on a restaurant? Your friend wants meatloaf, your significant other wants pasta, your kid wants a burger, and you’re in the mood for sushi. You

can split up for the evening and eat alone, or you can all go to Kona Grill in Short Pump.

I know, I felt the same way – how can one restaurant have such a diverse menu and still do it all well? To start with, they start from scratch, from the pickles to the desserts. They have a “saucier chef,” devoted to making over 40 sauces. They use fresh ingredients, hold themselves to the highest standards, and source from the best – like ahi tuna from Hawaii.

To put those standards to the test, I went straight for the sushi. The crab mix and cream cheese in the Bama Roll played soft on my

tongue, contrasting with the fresh crunch of jalapeños. The flavors within the soy paper mingled with the melody of flavors that topped the roll: tuna, avocado, spicy motoyaki sauce, and smelt roe.

Their miso-saké sea bass demonstrates the creativity with which Kona Grill uses Asian influences. Marinated in saké for 72 hours, the fish bursts with flavor, its buttery mouthfeel not from added butter, but from its own rich profile. It’s served with shrimp and pork fried rice and a pan-Asian ratatouille.

But I digress from the restaurant’s diversity. “I love the concept here at Kona Grill,” says general manager Karol

Gajda, “because we’ve got everything from sushi to burgers and so much in between.” Like grilled asparagus salad with herbed goat cheese crostini, bbq chicken flatbread, turkey and brie sandwich, Big Kahuna cheeseburger, jambalaya, basil pesto linguine, and pad Thai.

Kids are not only happy here, they’re downright spoiled. Their meal is served in a sophisticated Bento box and topped with an edible teddy bear, carved from an orange.

“We have healthy options for kids,” says Gajda, “but if you’ve got a finicky guy that only likes buttered noodles, we can do that, too.” Kids can choose

from pizza or nine entrées – including chicken satay, sushi combo, grilled salmon, and chicken tenders – paired with two of 10 sides.

Even the house-made desserts are memorable. Fair warning: be sure to split the carrot cake. It’s huge, but it’s so luscious that it’s easy to keep on eating and eating and eating.

The variety doesn’t end there. “We’re like three businesses in one,” ex-plains Gajda: a restaurant, with a casually elegant atmosphere; a sushi bar, where you can sit and watch the sushi chefs; and a four-season patio and bar with a reverse happy hour – specials later in the evening rather than at the beginning. Plus they do catering.

Not surprisingly, the variety carries into the beverage list: sake, cocktails, wine, and beer, with two taps dedicated to local craft.

Kona Grill creates cuisine that reflects the sweet spot of influence between Asia and America. The restaurant started as a little sushi bar in Scottsdale, Arizona, and has grown to nearly 30 locations.

Having owned an independent restaurant, Gajda appreciates Richmond’s independent dining scene. However, he also appreciates what a restaurant like Kona Grill can offer its customers: high corporate standards in sourc-ing and supply chain options, in freshness and shelf life, and in standards of cleanliness.

“We really appreciate the Richmond market,” Gajda says of Kona Grill. “We love being here.”

Once you and your diverse dining companions visit Kona Grill, you’ll appreciate being here, too!

11221 W. Broad St. | 804-364-5660 | KonaGrill.com

BAMA ROLL

Crab mix, cream cheese, and jalapenos topped with tuna, avocado, spicy motoyaki sauce, and smelt roe.

RichmondNavigator.com 45

GRILLED ASPARAGUS SALADFresh greens, grilled onions, tomatoes, and asparagus served with an

herbed goat cheese crostini

MISO-SAKÉ SEA BASS Marinated in saké for 72 hours and served with shrimp and pork fried

rice and a pan-Asian ratatouille.

CARROT CAKEThree thick, moist layers of carrot cake with rich, luscious cream cheese

frosting, all drizzled with caramel sauce and sprinkled with toasted walnuts

Tastethe Menu


FLAVOR calendar of events

December 5InnsbazaarMarket Plaza

Get your shopping done at Innsbrook’s annual holiday craft fair. Trek through the diverse craft vendors as they provide unique and quality gifts right in your workplace. Innsbrook.com

November 23-January 20RVA On Ice6th and Broad St.

Ice skate outdoors on a rink nestled in the heart of downtown amidst the city skyline and entertainment area of Richmond. The rink area also includes a free arts and crafts session. Enjoy hot chocolate, s’mores and music and warm up near the pit f ire and snack shack. RVAOnIce.net

November 19-December 13We Three LizasRichmond Triangle Players

In a spin on the classic A Christmas Carol, box maker Conrad Ticklebottom’s life hits a block. Once, Conrad and his purple box ignited an entire movement in art and design, but now he finds himself alone, forgotten and teetering on ruin. RTriangle.org

View our full event calendar online at RichmondNavigator.com.

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More Events on the Next Page


November 28-January 12GardenFest of LightsLewis Ginter Gardens

A holiday tradition featuring more than half-a-million twinkling lights, hand-crafted botanical decorations, model trains, holiday dinners, fire pits with s’mores and hot chocolate, nightly family activities and more. LewisGinter.org

December 31RVA New Year’s EveBrown’s Island

Be a part of Richmond history and celebrate on Brown’s Island for New Year’s Eve. The tradition that started uptown continues downtown with a night of entertainment, community and a brand new RVA New Year’s Eve Ball.RVAN YE.co

December 7Holiday Lantern ToursMeadow Farm

Costumed interpreters will guide guests through Meadow Farm for a special wedding. Learn traditions that surround the holiday season and why weddings occurred this time of year. Enjoy sights and sounds of 1860 and even participate in the wedding. Henrico.us/rec/places/meadow-farm

November 17Global Environment Speaker SeriesUniversity of Richmond

Listen to a lecture related to our global environment by J. Baird Callicott, professor of philosophy on “Thinking Like a Planet: The Land Ethic and the Earth Ethic.”VisitRichmondVA.com

Iron Horserestaurant

ON the TRACKS – Ashland15 miles North of the Fan, 11 miles to Short Pump

HANOveR’S beST diNiNg FOR 20 yeARSSeasonal Modern American - virginia Hospitality

Lunch-Dinner-Bar Menu M-Ssunday Brunch 11-2:30

Live Music F-S

Ironhorserestaurant.com | 804-754-6410

IronHorse.1\3b.1113.indd 1 10/21/13 9:59 AM


December 13Jerry SeinfeldAltria Theater

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld, former star of nine-season show Seinfeld, performs his signature stand-up routine at Altria Theater December 13. Seinfeld has also starred in, written, and produced movies, directed and produced a Broadway hit, and written a best-selling book and children’s book. Tickets start at $49.AltriaTheater.com

November 15-March 29 Water and Shadow: Kawase Hasui and Japanese Landscape PrintsVMFA

This exhibition presents a visually compelling selection of Japanese woodblock prints – as well as paintings and didactic material – that explores the dynamic early work of Japanese landscape artist Kawase Hasui. VMFA.museum

November 12Living Ethics: Expanding Community VisionScience Museum of Virginia

Community Beyond Borders, presented by John Boyner, a nationally recognized enological cartographer, encourages and facilitates “smart growth” of the viticulture industries and the incorporation of new technologies and social networking tools into the 21st century classroom. The event is free but pre-registration is required.SMV.orgDecember 19-23, 26-28

The NutcrackerCarpenter Theatre

Stoner Winslett’s The Nutcracker returns to the Carpenter Theatre for the holiday season. Join the Russian Bear, the Chinese Dragon, and Mouse King as they dance with Richmond Ballet’s entire professional company and students from The School of Richmond Ballet. RichmondBallet.com

December 4-7The Bizarre BazaarRichmond Raceway Complex

Four exhibition buildings filled with fabulous unique gifts, the Bizarre Bazaar features 500 juried exclusive exhibitors. Parking is free and general admission is $7 or $1.50 for children two through 12.TheBizarreBazaar.com

November 21-January 4Maymont Mansion Holiday ToursMaymont

Maymont mansion celebrates the holiday season with tours of the Dooley home, outfitted in Victorian Christmas decorations. There will be a 12-foot trimmed Christmas tree, dining room set for a feast and evergreen decorations. Tours are every half hour.Maymont.org

December 31-January 1Winter Open HouseJames River Cellars Winery

Come in out of the cold and warm up during the winter open house. Sample award-winning wines and restock before the new year. Admittance is free for this winter season wine tasting. JamesRiverCellars.com

November 21-22Richmond’s Finest “Concert Event”The Cultural Arts Center

This premier event brings Richmond performers Robbin Thompson, Susan Greenbaum, and Donna Meade together onstage with the Richmond Symphony. ArtsGlenAllen.com

November 24James TaylorRichmond Coliseum

James Taylor and his All-Star Band visit the Richmond Coliseum for one night. The singer and guitarist has been performing for over 40 years and has sold over 100 million albums. RichmondColiseum.net

COURTESY OF SARAH FERGUSON

COURTESY OF TRAVIS FULLERTON

calendar of events



plan your next event with catering from kona grill [everyone wins]

west broad street village • 804-364-5660 • www.konagrill.com

[catering] + events

check out our large party menu


R IC H MON D ’ S SP ECI A LT Y

by Ann ie Tobey

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FOOD STORES

After hearing a podcast on teff, a beneficial Ethiopian ancient grain,

I want some for my cooking. My injured knee is slow to heal, so I’m in

search of arnica and advice. For my brother’s birthday, I’m looking for

local gourmet hot stuff. The running book Eat and Run suggests recipes

with hard-to-find ingredients.

My food-shopping excursions often lead me away from supermarkets

to specialty and gourmet markets, with niche selection, knowledgeable

staff, and focus on local. Richmond offers plenty of options, all with their

own angle. By knowing what each one specializes in, I usually find exactly

what I’m looking for.


Harvest Grocery & Supply

This small Fan grocery and kitchen supply store not only supplies a wide selection of local pro-duce and organic and specialty groceries, they also like to get to know the vendors. Since they source their produce, dairy, and meat locally when possible, such personal contact is easy. Lo-cal vendors include Pickled Silly, Polyface Farm, Old Church Creamery, and Bombolini Pasta.

“In our first nine months of business,” says Hunter Hopcroft of Harvest, “we have put al-most $60,000 back into our local economy through our purchases from local vendors.”

Harvest provides a full selection of distinc-tive groceries in a friendly neighborhood setting, including produce, local farm eggs, and milk, wine, and beer. “Outside of a few staples, it’s un-likely that you will find most of our products in a common supermarket,” says Hopcroft.

Other specialty items include Soberdough, a bread mix from Nashville, Tennessee, that uses beer to make dough, and Mast Brothers dark chocolate from Brooklyn, New York.

“Come in prepared to be inspired by what’s in season,” says Hopcroft. “Locally grown seasonal ingredients don’t require culinary expertise to be transformed into a delicious home-cooked meal.”

Whole Foods Market

This big grocery store is many things to many people. I visualize the tables where I can sit and sip limited-release ales or wines on tap and eat a meal from the massive food bar. Others may go for the

groceries and gourmet packaged items or the in-house butcher, fishmonger, scratch baker, and chefs.

Whether fresh or packaged, what sets these “whole food” items apart is the company’s “dedi-cation to food in its purest, healthiest state,” says Christy Snyder, Marketing Team Leader at Whole Foods Market, “free of artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, preservatives or hydrogenated fats.”

Though Whole Foods is national, each store is tailored to the community, working with lo-cal growers and producers. The “From Around Here” program highlights products from within 100 miles, like Amy’s Organics, Hanover Farms, and Shenandoah Growers.

Brands exclusive to Whole Foods, says Sny-der, include natural and organic products under labels including 365 Everyday Value, Whole Catch, and Whole Paws.

Southern Season

“It’s a food lovers’ paradise and a culinary mec-ca,” says Southern Season president and COO Dave Herman. “The gourmet specialty store, cooking school, and restaurant – those things together make us so special.”

Southern Season isn’t a grocery store – you won’t find produce, refrigerated or frozen items, or ho-hum canned goods – but their products and services can help elevate any meal. Shop the aisles of gourmet items like grits, vinegars, sauces, spice mixes, and specialty flours. Choose a fine wine or craft beer to pair with your meal. Take a class in the cooking school, learning from local and na-tional experts on subjects like bacon or bourbon, vegan or gluten free, and Southern comfort foods

or classic French cooking. Or choose from their many kitchen appliances and tools.

If you eat at Southerly Restaurant, you can let their chefs do all the cooking.

The Richmond store has worked hard to pro-cure products from small vendors, including plenty from Virginia. One of Herman’s favorite aspects of Southern Season is seeing the small vendors inter-acting with the public at the store’s tasting stations, sharing the passion for the product. “We’re giving these entrepreneurs and food lovers a chance to bring their products to the market.”

Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market

“Our community of customers, employees, lo-cal farmers, and local artisans make Ellwood Thompson’s unique,” says Colin Beirne, Mar-keting Manager.

People looking for products that are local, or-ganic, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and socially conscious have been shopping this Carytown spe-cialty market since 1989. They carry a wide range of produce, meat, dairy, tofu, canned goods, and other specialty food items, with a focus on healthy, plus natural remedies and body care products – with knowledgeable staff to guide you. They also provide educational resources, like the free health coach who’s available Thursday evenings.

Shoppers can find over 750 local products at Ellwood Thompson’s. Their market showcases local artists who share their social conscious-ness and they support the community through a once-a-month fundraiser.

If you’re just learning about “health food” and

photo by Joey wharton


are a little hesitant to cook on your own, check out their prepared foods section. Beirne describes the “fresh made from scratch food served in our deli case, on our hot bar and vegan bar, and the confections made in our bakery.” These foods demonstrate that healthy can taste delicious.

“Consumers can come shop at Ellwood’s and know that we have their best interest in mind,” says Beirne.

The Fresh Market

Don’t go to The Fresh Market expecting just anoth-er big supermarket. Drewry Scott, PR and Com-munity Relations Manager at The Fresh Market, explains: “With smaller, more intimate stores, clas-sical music and soft lighting, the aromas of freshly baked bread and coffee, and exceptional service, our stores simply provide a unique shopping experience that customers can’t find anywhere else.”

The store is small, but they boast a large pro-duce department of over 400 items, including organic and local. They also have a full-service meat and seafood department.

The mouth-watering prepared food section can make your next meal delicious and easy. “Our European-style deli features more than 200 va-rieties of imported and domestic cheeses, as well as a wide variety of ready-to-serve items,’’ says Scott. “Our in-store bakery produces more than 30 kinds of freshly baked breads and a variety of pies and other decadent desserts. In addition, shoppers will find unique selections in our gro-cery, bulk, coffee, candy and floral departments.”

Though The Fresh Market now supports 100 stores in over 20 states, local is important here, too. They have a program to support local farmers and producers and clearly label products sourced within 100 or 300 miles of the store.

little green house grocery

After a f ire closed this little Northside store in September, Little House Green Grocery is open for business, thanks to lots of help from the community.

“We are a neighborhood grocery special-izing in fresh produce and locally sourced foods,” says co-owner Jessica Goldberg. The full-service corner grocery store also stocks dairy, meats, groceries, fine pantry staples, and prepared foods, drawing from an impressive list of specialty vendors.

I found teff, arnica, local gourmet hot stuff, and all the hard-to-find ingredients I could ever want, thanks to Richmond’s amazing specialty food stores. You can smell the goodness coming from my kitchen!

People looking for products that are local, organic, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and socially conscious have been shopping this Carytown specialty market since 1989. Photo courtesy of Ellwood Thompson's

One of Herman’s favorite aspects of Southern Season is seeing the vendors interacting with the public at the store’s tasting stations, sharing the passion for the product. Photo courtesy of Southern Season



MAKING CULTURED-MARBLE products and building custom bath-rooms is a family affair at Venetian

Marble, Inc. Owners Tom and Darla Skinner practically

have their DNAs imprinted in the Powhatan-based company they take such pride in running. Darla’s mother, Virginia Cash, went to work for the budding business in the early 1970s. Then, she and her husband, Lewis Cash, purchased it in 1980. Darla started working for her parents when she graduated from high school, and her husband, who originally worked there part time, came onboard full time in 1985. In 2009, the Skinners took over the reins when the Cashes decided to retire.

Through it all, homeowners and builders all around the Richmond area have relied on Venetian Marble for their cultured marble, a full line of bathroom products, superior workmanship, and customer service.

“We pride ourselves in the customer service we offer, as well as the direct contact between homeowners and our employees,” Darla Skinner says. “The average number of years our employ-ees have been with us is 20 years, some longer, and it makes our customers comfortable knowing all of the work is done by our own employees.”

While the company still provides cultured marble, including custom vanity tops, bathtubs, and showers, Venetian Marble has found its niche in the bathroom remodeling business – installing

low-profile, easy-access showers, grab bars, fold-up seats, body sprays, and hand-held showers to create spa-like additions.

“It’s not just about cultured-marble products anymore,” explains Darla, adding that her com-pany now offers everything for a complete re-model, including plumbing and lighting fixtures, ceramic tile, cabinetry, walk-in tubs, glass enclo-sures, and low-profile and wheelchair-accessible shower bases.

“We can help you select the color and design of your new bath, as well as install the finished product,” Skinner explains. “If you are building a new residence or renovating your existing home, our employees have the experience and knowledge to get the job done.”

As a Class-A contractor, Venetian Marble can provide all of the services necessary for bathroom remodels. They offer consultations on site or in the showroom, and their installers provide the highest quality of materials and workmanship.

“We’ve had 34-plus years of building relation-ships with home builders, remodeling contractors, and homeowners,” Darla Skinner says. “Much of our work today is helping former customers transform existing bathrooms into a more user-friendly layout that meets their needs.”

Located at 2150 Carter Gallier Blvd., Vene-tian Marble’s showroom is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with Friday and evening appointments available.

For more information or to make a consulta-tion appointment, visit VenetianMarbleInc.com or call 804-378-1190.

Venetian Marble2150 Carter Gallier Blvd., Powhatan

804-378-1190 // VenetianMarbleInc.com

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Venetian Marble

HOME AUTOMATION by Erin D. Pittman

HOME AUTOMATION is no longer a thing of the future: it’s here and is enhancing lives, adding convenience and providing energy savings to millions of Americans each day. Having a connected home where all devices “talk” to each other isn’t just for the elite (or for characters in Hollywood films). With various cost levels and customization options available, everyone can design their ideal automated home.

Home automation gives you the ability to control everything in your home via the Internet or internal system – lighting, temperature, security, shades, audio/visual, and more. Whether with touch pads located around your home, wireless remotes, or an app through your smartphone or tablet, you can control the elements of your home with the push of a button.

Enhance and improve your life with home automation options. Imagine getting up at night to use the bathroom and floor lights automatically illuminating the way. Think how convenient it would be to remotely control the temperature of your home or monitor your residence via your smartphone. A smart home offers convenience, comfort, financial savings, and increased safety.

LUTRON ELECTRONICSCRESTON ELECTRONICS“When trying to work with 10 different types of products in a home, some will work better together than others. When working with Crestron, it’s simpler, less challenging, because you can piece together an entire system that works well together.”

AT&T offers home security and home

automation services that work with your smartphone,

tablet, or computer, allowing remote access as well as in-home operation.

Highlights include front door video cameras and locks,

thermostat adjustments, and light and small appliance

controls.


SAFETYSafety is a key element of many smart homes. Vid-eo surveillance, glass breakage and motion sensors, flashing-light alarms, and numeric door locks are just a few of the high-tech features available. Se-curity can be tied into lighting as well. If you hear a noise in the middle of the night, with one touch of your smartphone, you can illuminate every light in the house. How’s that for deterring intruders?

For additional security, you can set up tele-phone entry for your home.

“For telephone entry, an intercom placed at the front door is hooked up to phones in the house,” explains Jeremy Jacobs, marketing repre-sentative with Channel Vision, a leading manu-facturer of surveillance, audio/visual, and tele-phone-entry products. “When a person presses the doorbell, it not only rings the bell, but also rings all of the phones in the house. The home-owner answers the phone and presses the entry button to let their guests in.”

LIGHTING/SHADES“Everyone can afford to install lighting, shad-ing, and temperature controls within their homes and enjoy the benefits,” said David Weinstein, vice president of residential sales with Lutron Electronics, Inc.

Lutron offers a range of options, from low-end do-it-yourself products for those wanting to start small on up to ultra-high-end options in-stalled by professionals.

Automated lighting can mean never going home to a dark house or having just the right lighting for every task. Homeowners can sched-ule every light in the house to go off at 1 a.m. or tap a button on their smartphone when they’re leaving work to illuminate exterior lights. Per-haps you want the perfect lighting for entertain-

ing or for your shades to drop daily at dusk. It’s all attainable in a smart home, where you create your ideal environment.

“Through our products, we offer that funda-mental feeling that’s hard to describe, but that people desire to experience. It’s called ‘pleas-ance,’” said Weinstein.

Lighting and shading not only provide peace of mind and privacy, but also offer energy sav-ings. Pair this with a smart thermostat and you’ll be doing your part for the Earth while best en-joying your home.

AUDIO/VISUALWhen thinking of ambiance, comfort, and enjoy-ment, you can’t forget the audio/visual aspects of your home. With automated technology, you can wire speakers into each room of your home and blast your favorite tunes across the home with central controls. However, you may quickly tire of your teenage daughter’s complaints about your taste in music. Remedy this by equipping a few rooms with a Bluetooth option, so each member of the family can easily play their preferred tunes.

Create your ideal home theater experience or access your high-tech video surveillance systems through monitors positioned throughout your home or via your iPad.

HOW TO GET STARTEDThere are endless options available for home automation, from do-it-yourself small kits to a total-control, wired smart home.

Crestron Electronics, Inc. is a leader in home au-tomation products and works with dealers and install-ers throughout the country, including Richmond.

“One of the biggest benefits of working with Crestron is that we do make so many products,” says Greg Haas, Crestron regional sales manag-

er. “When trying to work with 10 different types of products in a home, some will work better to-gether than others. When working with Crest-ron, it’s simpler, less challenging, because you can piece together an entire system that works well together.”

And in thinking about your automated home, you can now think aesthetics as well as perfor-mance. With smart homes becoming more main-stream, the options for functionality paired with beauty have become broader. For example, shading offers varying levels of control and beautification options from honeycomb shades to drapes.

“We’ve seen incredible growth and interest in automated shading,” says Weinstein. “Con-sumers can buy battery-powered shades directly from the [Lutron] website and install them themselves. On the higher end, we have eight automated shade systems wired on low-voltage power. There are more fabric and design options for our wired shades.”

If you’re ready to jump into home automation full force, unless you’re a techie yourself, it’s best to work with a professional. Visit the Crestron, Lutron, or Channel Vision websites to locate nu-merous dealers and installers in the Richmond area. If you’re just looking to dabble and start small, a do-it-yourself system or individual com-ponents may be right for you. Control your en-tryway lights or install motion-detected lighting around your home with simple kits from a local home improvement store.

Home automation is all about customization. You can create your perfect smart home that en-hances your family’s peace of mind and qual-ity of life daily. Decide which elements of your home you’d like to have “talk” to each other and on what level, and go from there. Your smarter home awaits.

LUTRON ELECTRONICS, INC.Automated lighting can mean never going

home to a dark house or having just the right lighting for every task.

Homeowners can schedule every light in the house to go off at 1 a.m. or tap a button on their smartphone when they’re leaving work to illuminate exterior lights.

Perhaps you want the perfect lighting for entertaining or for your

shades to drop daily at dusk. It’s all attainable in a smart home, where you create your ideal environment.


he calendar is punctuated throughout the year with holidays, special occasions, and our own unique happenings. We frequently celebrate these moments-to-remember with family and friends, and sometimes guests fill our home to overflowing. Welcoming company is always an

opportunity to put our best foot forward and make guests feel at home and appreciated.How can you make your home inviting and comfortable for visitors? Think back to your last

stay in a nice hotel and all the amenities you enjoyed. When outfitting your home for company, incorporate any features or experiences you found to be particularly special or, conversely, correct any inconveniences you noticed.

By Vicki O’Neal, ASID, CID, VSLD

Vicki O'Neal , ow ner

of FORM & F U NCTION,

prov ides commerc ia l

and res iden t ia l in ter ior

and land scape des ig n .

She i s a profess iona l

member of A SID, VA

Cer t i f ied In ter ior

Des ig ner (CID) , Ma s ter

Gardener , and a VA

Cer t i f ied Land scape

Des ig ner (VSLD) and a

Hor t icu l t ur i s t .

804-897-8558 FormAndFunctionLLC.com

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YOUR EXTERIOR GREETING MAY PRIMARILY CONSIST OF TASTEFUL, PERMANENT PLANTINGS ACCENTED WITH COLORFUL ANNUALS AND SEASONAL DECORATIONS.

Perfect Hostthe

First Impressions First

Creating a warm welcome starts long before your company arrives at the front door. Your yard, driveway, sidewalk, and entryway create a lasting first impression, so make it the best it can be.

Because guests can be of all ages and have very different needs, it’s good to begin by evaluating your site objectively. Think about your home and property as they look through the eyes of your guests. Is extra parking available and recognizable? Is the walk clear of objects and obstacles? Are the steps safe and the handrails secure? Is there adequate lighting? These considerations are utilitarian but nonetheless quite important.

The Softer Side of “Welcome”

Decorating the outside of your home can be as much fun as decorating the inside, and thoughtful touches make your exterior warm and inviting. The energetic focal point of your home is always the front door. Use that axiom to your best advantage by focusing your efforts there and creating a special feature. One large display will draw the eye right where you want it, and that single, bold statement is much more effective than smaller items scattered about.

Colorful and boldly overflowing containers are a dramatic eye-catcher and can be the basis of your design. For the strongest impact, however, it is important to move


the eye to the vertical dimension. To get the biggest bang for your buck, choose colors, plant materials, and motifs that with minor tweaks can gracefully transition seasons. Matching or coordinating flowers and foliage with an accent paint color for your front door or entry is an especially striking “hello.” Seating near the front door, kept clean and comfortable, is always welcoming, even if it’s rarely used. A welcome mat may display a distinctive design or seasonal greeting and is always functional.

Inviting Indoor Spaces

Just as with the outdoors, clearing a path in your entry or foyer makes arrival with coats and/or suitcases easier. Your guests will often greet each other at the door, so a little extra space for congregating is helpful when possible. Make sure your coat closet has ample room and extra hangers, and provide a coat rack for overflow if it will likely be needed. Because the foyer is a transition to the living space, art, furnishings, and décor can be striking, yet simple and uncluttered. Your closest relatives and friends frequently come to your back door instead of the front, making similar considerations and accommodations helpful.

As you and your guests move through your home and through the day or the period of their visit, the needs and uses of each space could vary greatly. Thinking through the activities that will likely occur and the spaces where they will take place may point to the potential need for flexibility and rearrangement. Meals are the most common activity that will need your full focus, and may be, of course, the only event on the agenda.

Time to Dine

Do-ahead preparation can clear the way for stress-free hosting, enabling you to better enjoy time with your visitors. From organizing your cookware, serving pieces, and table settings to planning seating arrangements, advance attention can reduce last-minute distractions. These little things, when left to the last minute, may seem like big things. The number of people you’re entertaining will have a

big impact on the pre-planning needed and the effort required just before and during the event.

The type of table you arrange and the service you set up will establish the tone for the meal, whether formal or casual. If you are serving a larger group, seating may be needed in multiple rooms. To tie it all together visually, use a similar type, style, and color of linens, placemats, and accents, such as arrangements and candles. Even though everyone is not seated at a single table, it can still be a coordinated design. With creativity and the right accessories, it is even possible to set an elegant yet casual table with paper plates. They are a great alternative for a larger event and, of course, cleanup is a breeze.

Many homes no longer have formal dining rooms. If you have this type of floor plan or are otherwise shopping for dining furniture, be sure to check out the many flexible and multipurpose table designs, some with multiple heights and self-stored leaves. Mobile carts are also useful and can move from room to room and outside.

For Overnighters

A pleasant and comfortable guest room leaves space for your guests. The room should be nicely decorated, but you should provide surfaces, closet space, and drawers for guests to put their things away. Draperies or window coverings are important for privacy and light control. Portable luggage racks are very useful and easily stored after

use. Ample lighting is a must, and lamps with multiple light levels are a thoughtful touch. If you are furniture shopping and space is a challenge, new designs for sleeper couches actually offer both style and comfort. Murphy beds also create multiuse spaces and extra accommodation for t ight qua r ters . A nightl ight in the

hallway, an extra blanket, coasters for the table – you’ve thought of everything!

Indulge your guests with thoughtful touches in the bathroom, like luxurious towels, fine soaps, fluffy rugs, maybe even a towel warmer. Make sure the basics are readily available – toiletries in case they were forgotten, a new toothbrush, and a hair dryer, for example. Leave a drawer free or perhaps provide a tray for personal items. You might want to include an assist bar in the shower for safety.

After Dinner

For your overnight guests: dinner’s done, but what’s next? Activities will differ depending on the age group and interests of your guests as well as the options available in your home. Movies on the big screen are always a great choice and allow some downtime after a lot of activity. Through the years, board games have been one of our favorite activities and have given us many fond memories. Active games such as ping-pong, pool, or exer-gaming are always great. Music and conversation keep the evening lively and engaging.

Whether your guests number two or 22, hosting and entertaining can be fun and entertaining for all. Keep it light, stress free, and simple. And most of all – enjoy!

Visit the FOR M & FUNCTION Lifestyle blog by Vicki O’Neal for more information on entertaining, interior design, and landscape design,

FormAndFunctionLLC.com

GUEST ROOMS CAN BE SIMPLE BUT TASTEFULLY DECORATED WITH PLENTY OF SPACE LEFT FOR YOUR GUESTS TO PLACE THEIR THINGS. A BENCH DOUBLES AS A GREAT LUGGAGE RACK.

CONSIDER A TOTAL DEPARTURE FROM THE EXPECTED AND CREATE AN IMAGINATIVE CENTERPIECE BASED ON A THEMATIC IDEA.



HIKING I was just being a good sport when I agreed to go hiking at Crabtree Falls in the dead of winter, but the ice formations that greeted us were so breathtaking that I was glad I’d gone.

A brisk walk works wonders in warming up the body, supplementing the benefits of cold weather hik-ing: no bugs or snakes, smaller crowds, low humidity for rich blue skies, and fewer leaves to hinder beautiful vistas. From the coast to the mountains; in local, state, and national parks; on the Appalachian Trail or along the James River, Virginia offers a diversity of hiking destinations.

Steve Stallard, owner of Ski Center at Westchester Commons, offers tips for cold weather apparel. He likens the three layers of clothing to going camping: your nightwear, sleeping bag, and the tent.

“For the base layer,” he explains, “use some wick-ing-type of moisture management, like underwear, to pull moisture away from your skin. If you stay wet, you stay cold. Your mid layer is your insulating layer, as simple as sweaters, fleeces, and sweatpants. And the outer layer should be windproof and waterproof.”

VIRGINIA BEACH The state’s coastline has much to offer besides open-water swimming and sunbathing. Though you may not want to take a winter dip in the Atlantic, Virginia Beach is a great year-round destination.

Fall through spring, when the beaches aren’t littered

with bathing beauties, visitors can gallop down Virginia Beach’s three-mile stretch of sand on horseback.

The milder temperatures along the coast mean that outdoor play is still pleasurable at False Cape State Park, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, or First Landing State Park. You can bike along 100 miles of bike trails or venture out to the new Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium, featuring 13 treetop trails of varying levels of difficulty, with 170 crossings, including ropes courses and ziplines.

You can still immerse yourself in water culture, from navigation to food, and still stay dry. The 1792 Cape Henry Lighthouse, one of the nation’s oldest lighthouses, is open for tours at Fort Story, providing expansive views of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Along the beachfront boardwalk, the Old Coast Guard Station Museum awaits your visit, a modest little structure amid the towering waterfront properties.

Learn about aquaculture firsthand on a Lynnhav-en River water tour with Pleasure House Oysters. The boat ride includes a waterside tour of the oyster beds, plus shucking and tasting oysters right there on the spot – it doesn’t get any fresher than that! You can bring your own wine and order a special charcuterie plate, too.

In late December through mid-March, fin, hump-back, and other whale species are annual visitors to Virginia’s coastline. Tours offered by the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center give visitors a chance to see these gentle giants up close, lunging, breaching, tail-bobbing, and flipper-slapping. Other wildlife watching on the tours include dolphins and

sea birds like brown pelicans, northern gannets, and double-crested cormorants. Be sure to check out the aquarium while you’re there.

MASSANUTTEN RESORT It’s summer all year at Massanutten’s indoor Water-Park, with constant 84-degree water temps. Swimmers can climb the massive water fortress, shoot water can-nons, soak under the waterfalls and the giant tipping bucket, zoom down eight water slides, and surf the waves in the Pipeline FlowRider.

Nearby is the state-of-the-art arcade, boasting the latest video games as well as classic redemption games.

To stay warm and dry, head over to LeClub Recre-ation Center and play some basketball, table tennis, or racquetball, get your heart rate up at the fitness center, take workout classes and attend a workshop, or swim.

The resort also offers tour buses to local sites, including breweries and wineries; arts and crafts classes; and more. Creature comforts abound as well – the spa; restaurants; beer, wine, and murder mystery dinners; and entertainment.

If you want to play outside, no worries. Go hiking, biking (no winter rentals on the mountain, so take your own), or horseback riding. The ice skating rink opens on Nov. 22, for free skate or lessons. Tackle the zip line and adventure courses or jump like the frog of Calaveras County on the Bungy Dome. The Mega Zip Dual Racer is open year round, and the kids’ zip experience and canopy tour till Nov. 28 (and occasional weekends thereafter).

WHEN THE LEAVES have all fallen, leaving the sharp silhouettes of trees against the sky, it’s time for snow, right? Time for winter sports, playtime in the fluffy stuff, sleigh rides, and blankets of sparkling white crystals? Perhaps, but not in Virginia.

Though we have all four seasons here in the Commonwealth, snow can be slow to arrive and quick to leave. How can we embrace the Virginia chill, come what may? By going where the experience will be unforgettable, whatever the weather!

EMBRACING VIRGINIA’S WINTERBY ANNIE TOBEY

Ice formations at Crabtree FallsPhoto by Annie Tobey


Hard-core golfers don’t let a little chill keep them from the greens. “We definitely have days that people ski in the morning and when it gets to 50 degrees, head down to Woodstone and hit the course,” says Sarah Elson-Staniunas, Director of Business Relations at Mas-sanutten – as long as the course isn’t covered with snow!

If you’re lucky enough to be there when slopes are open (typically after early/mid December), you’ll be able to go skiing, snowboarding, and tubing.

No matter the weather, the only problem at Massanutten will be narrowing down your options.

MOUNTAIN LAKE Snow surprised us on our visit to Mountain Lake last November. As my son and I wound up the road to the historic 1930s lodge, the soft rain turned to snow, delicate flakes dancing and sparkling in the headlights.

Besides the picturesque stone lodge and comfortable cabins, the resort boasts 2,600 acres of nature preserve and elevations up to 4,365 feet.

Though known as a filming location for the 80s hit movie Dirty Dancing, the resort is becoming popular for its outdoor activities, too. The 22 miles of trails are great for mountain biking, bird watching, and scenic hikes, with the Appalachian Trail, the Cascades waterfall, and Jefferson National Forest nearby. When snow covers the ground, this peaceful playground is ideal for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, tubing, and sledding, with equipment available for rental on site. On a clear night, the stars splatter the sky like spilled glitter.

When you’ve had enough of the cool, crisp air, you and your family can enjoy the indoor game room, fitness center, and cozy fireplace. Warm up from the inside at Stony Creek Tavern and Harvest Restaurant, serving cuisine that’s infused with the Appalachias, from the local ingredients to the creative yet classic recipes.

You can’t miss the mountain lake, one of only two natural freshwater lakes in Virginia – or what’s left of it. It’s directly in front of the lodge and used to be the center of summertime recreation. In 2005, however, the lake began draining mysteriously, shrinking from its 50-acre size to practically nothing, levels fluctuating but always low.

Virginia’s climate treats us to all four seasons. You can discover plenty of ways to enjoy each one.

Horseback riding at Virginia BeachPhoto courtesy of Lee Dear


I’ve often expressed my love for winter and for real wintry weather. And I’m also often told to

shut up for simply saying that I want more snow. I recently discovered the place that I should

have grown up. If you share my passion for winter, then joyously imagine this scenario: It’s an early winter’s morning. The snow is falling, but no one is talking about closing schools. Instead, your mom is yelling, “Hurry up, eat your breakfast. You’ll be late for the windsled.”

That’s right. For the kids on Madeline Island, off the coast of Bayfield in Northwest Wisconsin, their winter transportation to school is a sled, driven across the ice by a giant fan. According to Beth Fischlowitz, acting director for the Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce, the sled ride “is very loud and bumpy because it actually runs on the ice, not like a hover craft.”

She says, however, that the windsleds only operate after the ferry can’t break ice and before there is enough ice to drive a car on. When the ice gets to about 14 to 16 inches, the route becomes, Fischlowitz says, “a plowed county road, complete with speed limit signs and directional signs if necessary to go around a crack!”

Madeline Island is the largest of the Apostle Islands that dot Lake Superior, just off the shores of Bayfield.

If you, as a fellow winter weather lover, are thinking that this all seems rather interesting but that it’s probably too far from Richmond to take the trip just to see a sled, let me tell you a bit more.

While there are plenty of winter activ ities, there’s one particular winter attraction in the area that had folks coming from as far away as Europe, and even Australia, last winter. I’m talking about the ice caves.

Now, first for a disclaimer. The ice on the lake doesn’t get thick enough every year to allow visitors to the caves. But last year it did. Mary Motiff, director of Bayfield County Tourism, explains what happened

then: “It has been a local secret that when the ice is thick enough you can go out and wander through the ice caves. Last year, the secret got out and it went viral on social media. We had more visitors here during the six weeks that the ice caves were

accessible than we normally do during the entire summer.”

While no one is guaranteeing what this winter will bring, the consensus among many of the locals is that this will be another good ice cave year.

Even if not, there are plenty of other reasons to make plans to visit than just watching kids ride a windsled across the ice (although I do want to try that out).

“There is so much to see and do all winter long, it’s hard to find a weekend to just relax,” says Motiff. “There is usually some snow in November – enough to make it pretty for the holiday tree lightings and shopping. This is a place for people who like to get out and enjoy winter. There are many

excellent cross-country ski trails, great snowshoeing through the national forest, sled dog adventures, and a ski hill, not to mention over 600 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.”

But wait! There’s even more. From March 6 through 8, there’s the Bayfield Winter Festival. “It’s an entire weekend dedicated to ‘celebrating ice, snow and cabin fever,’” says Drew Nussbaum with TravelWisconsin.com, the official website of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. Special events include Run on Water, a race across the famous ice road from Bayfield to Madeline Island; a winter obstacle course run; and WinterBASH, featuring live music and dancing at the historic Lakeside Pavilion in downtown Bayfield.

All that, and we haven’t even gotten to such other great winter events as the barstool races or the world’s longest weenie roast.

There’s so much to do in Bayfield, but the best thing, if it were my hometown, is that there’d be no one telling me to keep quiet when I say I want more snow. For these hearty folks, it’s “bring it on.”

“It’s been a local

secret that

when the ice is

thick enough you

can go out and

wander through

the ice caves.”

Enjoy a

REAL WINTER This Year By Steve Cook

COURTESY OF SCOTT ANDERSON


COU

RTES

Y O

F BA

YFIE

LD C

HA

MBE

R A

ND

VISI

TOR

BURE

AU

DISCOVER MORE

TravelWisconsin.com

Places to see and things to do throughout the state

NPS.gov/APIS

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Bayfield.org and BayfieldCounty.org

All things Bayfield, including the ice caves

MadelineIsland.com

BayfieldWinterFestival.com

See RichmondNavigator.com/Travel

or the November/December issue

of Chesterfield Living for another

great winter destination:

Ski New Mexico!

COURTESY OF MEGAN PARKER

When Lake

Superior freezes

in winter, many

people need to

ride in the wind

sled to get from

their homes on

Madeline Island.

When the ice

is thick enough,

visitors and locals

can explore the

ice caves.

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West End's Best November/December 2014

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