TOPS September 2011

LEXINGTON’S MOST READ MAGAZINE TOPSINLEX L e x i n g t o n ’s M o s t R e a d M a g a z i n e

Priceless | September 2011

MO NOW NT HL Y!

IN LEX.COM

September 2011 vol. 5 no. 5

Fall Fashion

Chef Brigitte Nguyen | Town & Country Kitchens | Tom Ackerman

Volume 5, No. 5

LEXINGTON’S MOST READ MAGAZINE

TOP EVENTS 18

Top Marketing Group

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465 East High Street, Suite 201 Lexington, KY 40507-1938 859.543.TOPS (8677) 859.514.1621 (fax)

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TopsInLex.com | LexScene.com

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Keith Yarber

President / Publisher kyarber@topsmarketing.com

Kristen Oakley Associate Publisher, TOPS Magazine Sr. Account Manager kristen@topsmarketing.com Melissa Meatyard

Editor, TOPS Magazine Magazine Design & Layout melissa@topsmarketing.com

Danielle Pope

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Associate Publisher, LexScene Account Manager danielle@topsmarketing.com

Alyssa Fleming

WHO’S WHO

Account Manager alyssa@topsmarketing.com

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Teri Turner

Account Manager teri@topsmarketing.com

Buffy Lawson

Account Manager buffy@topsmarketing.com

Katherine Tierney

Account Manager katherine@topsmarketing.com

Whitney Glass

Account Manager whitney@topsmarketing.com

Amanda Harper

Editor, LexScene Magazine Head Writer, TOPS Magazine amandah@topsmarketing.com

Judson Ridgway

Advertising Creative Director Event Photography Manager Intern Coordinator judson@topsmarketing.com

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To Advertise Your Business,

call 543-8677

WHAT’S NEW

34 Fall Fashion 57 Fashion ‘Biz’: Fall Trends 104 Business News

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Cover Photography by Alicia Fierro, Aesthetiica Photography

Have an event you would like covered? Photo questions?

Contact photographer@topsinlex.com

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Out & About Chef Brigitte Nguyen Community Spotlight: Bluegrass Crime Stoppers Meet the Media: Tom Ackerman Tour of Homes: Town & Country Kitchens TOP People to Know WOW Wedding: Alison & Daniel Wedding Announcements TOP Shots

WHAT TO DO

Contributing Writers Hallie Bandy, David Blair, Kristin Espeland Gourlay, Blake Hannon, Amanda Harper, Buffy Lawson, Michelle Rauch, Biz Ruby, Doug Smith, Sue Ann Truitt

Contributing Photographers Paul Atkinson Myers Alex Orlov David Desjardins Shaun Ring Alicia Fierro Judson Ridgway Phillips Mitchell

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The Race is On Equine Art at the Governor’s Mansion in Frankfort Trust Lounge Sneak Preview Party / LexArts Benefit Miss Kentucky Scholarship Pageant Junior League Go Red for Women Night Keeneland Concours d’Elegance Gala & Hangar Bash Polo in the Park, Team USA vs. Team South Africa American Red Cross Disaster Blaster Gala Bone Appetit & Freedom Fest Arthur Murray Showcase TOPS Elite Makeover Reveal Party TOPS Summer Issue Sneak Preview Party Thursday Night Live A Night for the Nest Light the Night Kick-off Party for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

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Community Calendar Food: Nick Ryan’s Saloon Posh Pets: Cat Claw Issues Sue Ann Truitt: Out of Town Guests In the ‘Buf’: Snow White, seriously?

TOP Design: Deconstructed Centerpieces Parenting: Shopping with Teenagers, Rules of Engagemement Home Gardening: Miniature Gardens Discovering How Forever Feels Weddings: Fall Wedding Photography TOPS Shopping Guide

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Who’s Who

Details: Flowers: Patrick Howard Photography: Karen Powell Bridal Attice: Gown by Lazaro, wedding veil and comb by Paris Cake: Tinkers Band: Familiar Faces Videographer: Andy Davenport Bridesmaid Attire: Bella Rose Wedding Planner: Sarah Leer Venue: Centenary United Methodist Church Reception: Idle Hour Country Club

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What To Do

TOP HAPPENINGS Our Topparazzi photographers are everywhere! Please check our website for updated event information and please be aware of the changing nature of events.

Thursday, September 1st Football: UK v Western Kentucky 9PM Nashville, TN ukathletics.com The Big Show 7PM-10PM The Kentucky Theatre Central Bank Thursday Night Live 4:30PM-7:30PM Cheapside Park downtownlex.com BOOM 7:30PM Downtown Arts Center projectseetheatre.com

Friday, September 2nd Daniel Boone Pioneer Festival 6:30PM Winchester danielboonepioneerfestival.com Bourbon City BBQ Festival Bardstown bourboncitybbqfestival.com Lexington Fest of Ales 5PM-9PM Cheapside Park lexingtonfestofales.com

Saturday, September 3rd RollerDerby Girls of Central Kentucky 7PM Lexington Center rocknrollergirls.com

Fall Arts Festival 11AM-8PM Josephine BMAC Wounded Warrior Bash and Sculpture Park, Silent Auction Frankfort 7PM-11PM The Barrel House bmaconline.org Birdhouse Display

Friday, September 9th

Kickoff Rally for UK Football Season, Benefitting UK Children’s Hospital 7PM-8PM Cheapside Park lexingtoncharityclub.com

Saturday, September 10th Broadway Live Presents: The Color Purple 2PM & 8PM Lexington Opera House Walk MS Lexington 10AM Whitaker Bank Ballpark walkmsky.org Katy Perry with Special Guest 7:30PM KFC Yum Center Football: UK v Central Michigan Commonwealth Stadium ukathletics.com Explorium of Lexington Carnival 2011: An Evening of Confections & Cocktails 7PM-10PM Victorian Square Atrium explorium.com

Sunday, September 4th

Hope in the City Vintage Kentucky Wine Festival: A 11AM-3PM Douglas Park Toast to Henry Clay hopectr.org 1PM-7PM The Henry Clay Estate henryclay.org 11th Annual Dog Paddle 9AM-3PM Woodland Aquatic Center

Thursday, September 8th

Central Bank Thursday Night Live 4:30PM-7:30PM Cheapside Park downtownlex.com

Sunday, September 11th Wounded Warrior Celebrity Golf Tournament 12:30PM-8:30PM University Club of Kentucky

Reception and Auction 2PM-4M The Arboretum uky.edu/arboretum

Monday, September 13th Business Resource Roundtable 3PM-5PM Commerce Lexington Rocky Mountain Horse Association International Horse Show 9AM Kentucky Horse Park

Thursday, September 15th Kentucky Women Writers Conference Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning kentuckywomenwriters.org Central Bank Thursday Night Live 4:30PM-7:30PM Cheapside Park

Friday, September 16th Scholarship Scramble Golf Tournament 1:30PM University Club of Kentucky Sunflower Kids Golf Scramble & Silent Auction 7:30AM Mariott Griffin Gate Golf Course sunflowerkids.org Kentucky Women Writers Conference Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning kentuckywomenwriters.org

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What To Do Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Wine Tasting & Silent Auction 7PM-9PM Equus Run Vineyard Gallery Hop 5PM-8PM Downtown Lexington Galleries galleryhoplex.com Festival Latino de Lexington 7PM-11PM Downtown festivallatinolexington.com

Saturday, September 17th

Boomslang Literary Event 7PM Carnegie Center boomslangfest.com Glenn Miller Orchestra 7:30PM Lexington Opera House lexingtonoperahouse.com

Tuesday, September 20th Go Red for Women Golf Tournament 11AM Keene Run Golf Club, Nicholasville

Thursday, September 22nd

Football: UK v Louisville Commonwealth Stadium ukathletics.com

World Chicken Festival 5PM-11PM Downtown London

Festival Latino de Lexington 5PM-11PM Downtown festivallatinolexington.com

Good Morning Bluegrass 12PM-1:30PM Hyatt Regency Downtown commercelexington.com

Kentucky Women Writers Conference Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning kentuckywomenwriters.org

Friday, September 23rd

Jose Porcel & Ballet Flamenco 7:30PM Singletary Center for the Arts uky.edu/scfa Football: UK v Florida Commonwealth Stadium ukathletics.com ScareFest 11AM-10PM Lexington Center Wynonna Judd 8PM EKU Center for the Arts ekucenter.com Boyd Orchards Fall Festival 9AM-7PM Boyd Orchards boydorchards.com HarvestFest 10AM-5PM Shaker Village

Sunday, September 25th Peter Pan Starring Cathy Rigby Lexington Opera House

Peter Pan Starring Cathy Rigby Lexington Opera House lexingtonoperahouse.com

HarvestFest 10AM-5PM Shaker Village

Boyd Orchards Fall Festival 9AM-7PM Boyd Orchards boydorchards.com

World Chicken Festival 11AM-12AM Downtown London

ScareFest 11AM-4PM Lexington Center

Midway Fall Festival 10AM-6PM Midway

Boomslang: A Celebration of Sound and Art Buster’s

Sunday, September 18th Walk to END Alzheimer’s 1PM Cheapside Park alz.org Horses and Hope Trail Ride 11AM Kentucky Horse Park horsesandhope.org Midway Fall Festival 11AM-5PM Midway Gala in the Garden The Arboretum uky.edu/arboretum Boyd Orchards Fall Festival 12PM-7PM Boyd Orchards boydorchards.com

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Monday, September 19th

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ScareFest 5PM-10PM Lexington Center Dauchshund Derby 5:30PM The Red Mile

Saturday, September 24th Bluegrass Concert for Bluegrass PRIDE 7PM UK Memorial Hall bgpride.org Peter Pan Starring Cathy Rigby Lexington Opera House lexingtonoperahouse.com World Chicken Festival 11AM-12AM Downtown London

Wednesday, September 28th Get Motivated Business Seminar 8AM-4:45PM Rupp Arena

Thursday, September 29th Toby Keith with Eric Church 7:30PM Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati Central Bank Thursday Night Live 4:30PM-7:30PM Cheapside Park

Friday, September 30th Keeneland Happy Hour 5PM-8PM Keeneland Lexington Philharmonic 7:30PM Singletary Center for the Arts

Out & About Maleah Danner and Cayla Turner at Trust Sneak Preview

Terry and Ann McBrayer

A Mid Summer Night’s Run

Great Danes Love the Junior League Horse Show

Tops President Keith Yarber Welcomes UK President Eli Capilouto

Arriving in Style at Concours d’Elegance Festa Italiano

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Top Events

Stephen Collins, Greg Ladd, First Lady Jane Beshear and Estill Curtis Pennington

Gigi Lacer

The Jockey by Andre Pater

Dana Cox, Tom Courtnay and Chuck Pittinger

Keith & Sheri Clark

Field Ladd and Cindy Greathouse

Carol Mitchell, David Buchta and Lindy Casebier

The Race is On: Equine Art at the Governor’s Mansion The Division of Historic Properties and First Lady Jane Beshear hosted The Race is On: Equine Art from private and public collections at the Kentucky Governor’s Mansion. Some 40 works of art representing a wide variety of historical and contemporary styles were on view and nearly 200 guests attended. The exhibition, hosted by Cross Gate Gallery in Lexington, showcases public and private collections across Kentucky and will be on display through September 15. lexarts.org Photos by Paul Atkinson

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Top Events

Christina Kurapkat & Andy Shea, Owner of Trust Lounge

Georgia Henkel, LexArts Board Member & Jim Clark, President & CEO of LexArts

Greg & Rebecca Yeary

Major renovations of the former Phoenix Bank have transformed it into the upscale Trust Lounge

Katelyn Gurley, Jen Goodman and Keisha Lansaw

Steve Grossman Campaign Co-chair Fund for the Arts & Michael Marx

Joe Bennett, Matt Blandford and Jason Delucia

Trust Lounge Sneak Preview Party Benefitting LexArts Advisors for the Arts, a sneak preview party of the new Trust Lounge on July 14, brought financial advisors from major firms together for the first time to raise money for the arts. The Jack Finucane Duo performed live jazz and a total of $5,000 was raised for the arts that evening. lexarts.org Photos by Paul Atkinson

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Top Events

Ashley Ferry 4th Runner Up, Jenna Day 1st Runner Up, Miss Kentucky 2011 Ann Blair Thornton, Jefra Bland 2nd Runner Up and Candace Shoemaker 3rd Runner Up

Jamie Breeding with Djuan Trent Crowning the New Miss KY 2011 Ann Blair Thornton

Miss Kentucky 2010 Djuan Trent with all the 2011 Contestants

Ann Blair Thornton and her Western KY University Friends

Miss Kentucky 2011 Ann Blair Thornton with outgoing Miss Kentucky 2010 Djuan Trent

Miss Kentucky Pageant The Miss Kentucky Pageant was held in Lexington at the Singletary Center for the Arts on July 16th.

Thirty-two young women competed for the title of Miss Kentucky. Ann Blair Thornton, Miss Bowling Green, was crowned Miss Kentucky 2011. She will go on to compete in the Miss America Pageant, held in Las Vegas January 14th. The pageant will air live on ABC from Planet Hollywood Resorts. misskentuckypageant.com Photos by Phillips Mitchell

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Top Events

Joseph, Emma & Donna Yarber, Hank & Marian Zeitlin

Carson Kressley is a big fan of the Lexington Junior League

Rebecca Mann, Jenny Sturgill, Carrie Patterson, Christy Brown

Dr. Sylvia Cerel-Suhl & Dr. Jerry Suhl

Here’s to WINNING!

Saint Joseph GOES RED

Junior League “Go Red for Women” Night The Central Kentucky Chapter of the American Heart Association and its local Cause Partner, Saint Joseph Health System celebrated “Go Red for Women” night at the Junior League Horse Show on July 15th! Ongoing efforts by AHA and Saint Joseph have helped to bring much needed education and awareness to the #1 killer of women, heart disease. National sponsors for “Go Red” are Macy’s and Merck. heart.org Photos by Alex Orlov

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Top Events

Tom & Connie Jones

Bill Giles & Ann Rosenstein

Carol & John Gardner

Fashion by Soreyda Benedit Begley

Trudy Tibbs, Dr. Jackie Noonan and Dr. Phil Tibbs

Peggy Richards and Libby Brown

Mr. & Mrs. Richard Webber

Keeneland Concours d’Elegance Gala & Hangar Bash Keeneland Concours d’Elegance began it’s 8th year supporting Kentucky Children’s Hospital with the Gala and Hangar Bash, two events in conjunction with the Day of Show. They continue our tradition of giving and love of the automobile. The Concours is filled with exotic cars, judging, art and trophies. During these two events everyone is welcome to unwind, relax and spend time with friends. keenelandconcours.com Photos by Paul Atkinson & David Desjardins

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Top Events

Celia Ammerman, Hunter Guyon, Lina Tharsing, Sarah Wylie Ammerman VanMeter

Clark Nyberg & Susan Nyberg

James & Lexi Armstrong

Gay Haggin VanMeter & Kevin Christopher

Hollis Onetto

Timmy & Lea Roland

Jennifer Ebert, Nick Helton & Jonathan Weber

Matt, Heather, Zach & Landon Barth

5th Annual Bluegrass International Cup Tent patrons and tailgaters alike gathered to watch Team USA and Team South Africa square off to raise money for Bluegrass Conservancy and The Fayette Alliance at the 5th Annual Bluegrass International Cup at Polo in the Park presented by UK HealthCare. Over seven hundred people came out to support farmland preservation and sustainable growth in the Bluegrass and enjoyed an exciting polo match. bluegrassconservancy.org / fayettealliance.com Photos by Alex Orlov

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Top Events

Greg & Beth Brown

Anna Claire & Barbara Halloway

Jennifer & Mark Kauffman

Patti McCord & Emma

Amber Philpott & The King

Sal Nalli, Maura Graven & Catherine Nalli

Rhonda Snow & Laura Atkinson

Sasha Renfro & Winn Stephens

Parish Renfro & Buck Prewitt

American Red Cross Disaster Blaster The 2011 Disaster Blaster, presented by Columbia Gas of Kentucky, was held on July 22, 2011 at the Altech Arena. Guests enjoyed an evening “Walkin’ in Memphis” which included barbecue and the blues. ‘The King’ even managed to stop by to delight the crowd and enjoy a peanut butter banana parfait for dessert. Proceeds support the Bluegrass Chapter of the American Red Cross. redcrosslexky.org Photos by Myers

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What’s New

Stepping out in

Amanda: Shoshanna ž sleeve shift dress in coral; Gerard Yosca turquoise and coral medallion necklace, available at Bella Rose.

Whitney: Britt Ryan silk tunic dress in driftwood; W&M Jewelry gold cap coral drop earrings, available at Bella Rose; Devon Bit gloves, Longchamp silk scarf and Rebecca Ray handbag, all available at The Keeneland Gift Shop.

Amelia: Rani Arabella sweater dress and Barbour Wellington boots, available at The Keeneland Gift Shop.

Joshua: Polo tattersall dress shirt, available at Graves Cox; True Religion Joey jeans, available at Mod.

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What’s New

Great Fall Style

Credits Location: Highland Hall, Lexington KY Photography by Alicia Fierro of Aesthetiica Photography Models by Heyman Talent Louisville Styled by Kristen Oakley, Stuart Hurt and Teri Turner Hair by Kasha Jones, Lydia Nemeth and Shawne Mills at VOCÊ on Clay Makeup by Angela Douglas, Bianca Manley and Shawne Mills at VOCÊ on Clay Set Props by House by JSD Designs Transportation by Thoroughbred Limo

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What’s New

Amanda: Shoshanna ž sleeve shift dress in coral; Gerard Yosca turquoise and coral medallion necklace, available at Bella Rose.

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What’s New Whitney: Nightcap Clothing Priscilla dress in stretch lace, Hammitt Los Angeles Westwood satchel in white signature leather with gold studs, available at Você.

Amelia: Karlie one shoulder retro floral dress, available at Monkee’s of Lexington; Brown Agate bangle and Faceted Onyx bangle, Mosaic Amber and sterling silver pendant on neoprene, available at David Hungerford Fine Jewelers; Rebecca Ray leather handbag and Tiffany and Company sunglasses, available at The Keeneland Gift Shop.

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What’s New

Joshua: S. Cohen silk and wool sportcoat, Peter Millar silk and cotton vest, Corbin worsted wool trousers, Robert Talbott tie, and Stefano Grade 8 Panama hat, all available at Howard & Miller.

Amanda: Tibi Honeycomb Jacquard cap sleeve dress in fawn, Spanx knee highs in black, David Aubrey earrings, available at AJ’s; Fornash gold bamboo stone bangles, available at The Keeneland Gift Shop.

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What’s New

Joshua: Polo wool silk plaid sport coat, Polo tattersall dress shirt and Peter Blair Horse Bid tie, available at Graves Cox; True Religion Joey jeans, available at Mod. Amanda: C. Luce print dress with braided leather belt, long necklace with marbled wooden beads and small gold beads, available at Worlds Apart.

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What’s New

Amanda: Lilly Pulitzer Evie dress in bright navy ring pop Jacquard, available at Peppermint Palm; Fornash gold bamboo stone bangles, available at The Keeneland Gift Shop.

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What’s New Whitney: Shoshanna Funnel Neck coat and seamed shift dress in camel; W&M Jewelry turquoise three strand necklace with vintage flower brooch, available at Bella Rose.

Amelia: Antonio Melani Rigby ruffled one-shoulder dress and all accessories available at Dillards.

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What’s New

Amanda: Stylestalker Almost Famous dress, Gerard Yosca stone and abalone necklace, CC Skye chunky turquoise cuff, available at Você

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What’s New

Whitney: St. John Caviar Crepe Marocain short sleeve dress, available at Embry’s; Fornash gold bamboo stone bangles, Longchamp clutch and Tiffany and Company sunglasses, all available at The Keeneland Gift Shop.

Joshua: Corbin camel hair sportcoat, Bird Dog Bay tie and Samuelsohn Tropical Weight trouser, available at Howard & Miller.

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What’s New

Whitney: Tibi stretch wool bow shorts in heather grey; Tibi shirting easy bow top, 525 America shearling black fur vest, Spanx knee highs in black, all available at AJ’s; Gellner Tahitian Pearl large wired black leather cuff with Keshi pearl ends , available at Shelia Bayes.

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What’s New

Amelia: Antonio Melani Rigby ruffled one-shoulder dress and all accessories available at Dillards.

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What’s New Joshua: Barbour wool racing cap, Barbour v-neck sweater in red, Barbour oil skin classic Beaufort jacket, Southern Proper bow tie and Smathers and Branson needlepoint belt, all available at Graves Cox. Whitney: French Connection multi-colored skirt, Live a Little olive jacket and Eileen Fisher viscose jersey tee, available at Sensibly Chic; Faceted amber earrings and coordinating multi-strand necklace, available at David Hungerford Fine Jewelers. Tiffany and Company sunglasses, available at The Keeneland Gift Shop.

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ALICIA FIERRO AESTHETIICA PHOTOGRAPHY Alicia Fierro, owner of Aesthetiica Photography, was born in Bellflower, CA to two artsy parents. Their artistic flair stayed with her as she attended Brooks College in Long Beach, majoring in Graphic Design. Fierro found herself gravitating more toward photography, which had been a serious hobby for her since high school. She withdrew from Brooks and still considers it one of the best educational decisions she’s made.

Fierro began a career in photo retouching in 2004, while also working in photography studios.

Around this time, Fierro realized that she wasn’t a fan of traditional photography and began moving outside the box. In 2007, Fierro relocated to Cincinnati and shot a few weddings as a “second shooter”. She enjoyed the excitement of the day and the creative freedom. Fierro couldn’t have guessed that it would become her full-time career when she later moved to Campbellsville, KY to be with her thenfiancé (now husband.) News of Fierro’s talent spread like wildfire after she shot her first wedding in Lexington and it’s given her the opportunity to photograph weddings across the country.

Fierro says that the focus of Aesthetiica Photography is to capture moments, artistically–something that shines through in the naturally elegant fashion photos she took for the TOPS September fashion spread.

Contact Alicia: aesthetiica.com aesthetiicablog.com 513.508.7744

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What’s New

Amelia: Jessica Tam vintage black and cream dress with lace overlay, available at Paisley Polka Dot; Leather Goods of Spain Devon Bit gloves and Tiffany and Company sunglasses, available at The Keeneland Gift Shop.

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What’s New

Amelia: Uncle Frank print dress with wide crochet belt, available at Cotton Patch; Brown Agate bangle and Faceted Onyx bangle, Mosaic Amber and sterling silver earrings, available at David Hungerford Fine Jewelers.

Amanda: French Connection cream lace crew top and Seven for All Mankind high-waisted Georgia flare jeans, available at Mod; Gellner Tahitian Pearl large wired black leather cuff with Keshi pearls ends and coordinating Gellner Tahitian Pearl leather necklace, Bold sterling silver ring with single Tahitian pearl, available at Shelia Bayes Fine Jewelers.

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What’s New

Whitney: Amsale crinkle silk chiffon in blush pink, available at Twirl Lexington; 14K inside/outside diamond hoop earrings and 14K diamond scalloped necklace, available at David Hungerford Fine Jewelers.

Burlap upholstered wingback chair, available at House.

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What’s New

FASHION ‘BIZ’

THE SPIRITED SOPHISTICATION OF FALL

by Biz Ruby, Fashion Consultant

In my world, and in many of yours I’m betting, fall is all about one thing; fashion. And believe me, this year our favorite season does not disappoint.

The fall 2011 collections are an incredibly compelling mix of pulled toadeleredingphotography.com gether, grown-up, fabulously female looks that will instantly ramp up the femininity factor in all of us.

The era of anything goes dressing for any age group is over and designers trumpeted that message loud and clear…it’s time to dress like the stylish grown-ups we are. It’s fashion as age-appropriate, head-turning chic, not starlet-of-the-moment Hollywood dress up time.

What you get is super-sophisticated dressing with a lot of dash and a touch of sass (Milly’s collection has it down to a science), all interpreted by intriguing new elements such as below the knee – yes, below the knee – hemlines, astonishing goddess-like silhouettes Milly (Badgley Mischka’s always-on-the-mark stunners), and bold, for-ladies-only accessories (gloves, hats, jewelry…you name it) reminiscent of decades past, yet nothing blatantly retro or dated.

Below the Knee Hemlines A look that would typically be all about decorum, yet when given the panache of straight-arrow, bodyhugging tailoring executed in fabrications such as lace, pailletes, even polished to perfection tweed, it proves to be one of the most seductive and irresistible looks of the year. Rightfully so. Check out the in-your-face fierceness of Camilla & Marc’s scarlet lace dress paired with dark sheer hose and the shoe of the season, the high heel black ankle boot. “Many women may initially balk at the thought of a hemline just below the knee, however, the interpretations for fall are so utterly captivating, so sexy, it’s the trend, with a capital T,” states Katie Hobbs, Co-Owner of shoplesnouvelles.com.

Capes & Ponchos Ditch the predictable go-to-for-everything coat you always wear for the outerwear piece that ups your coolness factor in a New York second, all the while keeping you cutting edge and cuddly warm. During the first week of the American fall 2011 collections, über-stylish capes and ponchos were so predominant on the run-

ways that what started as a burgeoning outerwear look turned into one of the biggest trends of New York Fashion Week. The best? ‘70s-inspired, blanket-like, decorative pieces such as ALC Drizae’s Navajo-inspired cape, shown here, paired with another ubiquitous piece for fall, the scrunchy turtleneck. Unlike its hippie-dippy predecessors, this beautifully urbane take on the cape is a sublime statement maker.

Fur A fashion fixation for the ages, from fox to fake, sable to shearling, fur is a major part of this fall’s grown-up looks whether used as a luxe accent on shoulder detailing or at the neckline, as at Miu Miu and Carolina Herrera, or fullon fur sleeves and copiously cozy collars at Tory Burch. For those seeking the swagger of fur in an unconventional style, look no further than By Malene Birger’s Chamo Soft Sheep BM BTK Shearling jacket (for more visit shoplesnouvelles. com), gorgeously accentuated with black leather details and capped off with another mega trend for fall as shown here… the hat. But not just a hat, a daring, dashing individual look you can call your Tory own that literally tops off Burch everything, whether the slouch (seen everywhere), a toque, or a classic pillbox (wildly popular at Marc Jacobs).

Here’s to a super, sophisticated (and sassy!) fall season.

Camilla & Marc

ALC Drizae

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What To Do

Nick Ryan’s Saloon serving up cocktail classics and diverse American cuisine with style

by Blake Hannon 60

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What To Do

For the sake of full disclosure, I should let you know I just moved back to Lexington in April of this year after spending time working in the Midwest. But when I was here, I felt like I had very few reasons to make my way to Jefferson Street.

What a difference a few years can make.

Now, Jefferson Street is a burgeoning destination where restaurants, bars and casual eateries alike are sprouting up. And with that, a reinvention of one of the city’s classic Prohibition-era watering holes has taken shape with Nick Ryan’s Saloon.

While this restaurant and bar isn’t located in Nick Ryan’s Saloon’s original home on North Mill where it opened in 1905, owners Don and Barb Wathen knew to keep a few elements of the old staple when they opened a restaurant on 157 W. Jefferson Street.

Adding “saloon” in the name isn’t so much indicative of the atmosphere as it is the attitude – a kick-backand-relax kind of feel. The name could also be referring to what’s being concocted behind the bar.

Signature drinks tend to be devoted to more classic cocktails on the stiff side, like the Kentucky Pain Killer with two types of bourbon, the French 75 or bourbon with homemade ginger syrup and soda. You can also choose from a thoughtful rotation of draft beers or get a good glass of wine for between $5 and $6, where the bartender will happily employ a heavy hand and give you a couple extra ounces of vino more than you’re used to getting.

But the ambiance and menu is where the saloonish qualities start to dissipate. The dark hardwood floors, cream-colored walls adorned with local art and stylishly stocked bar lends an air of inviting and accessible sophistication with a few patio tables and a modest dining area with French doors they throw open when the weather is accommodating.

The menu, developed by Joseph Pugh, veers towards New American. It’s straightforward in its approach with a bit of variety, putting the occasional stateside twist on the cuisine from other regions.

Appetizers like the refreshing Tuna Tartare use Sushi grade tuna and are topped with homemade potato crisps and they have an extremely delectable Crab Cake, with a crispy fried crust and pillow-soft filling chocked with crab, that would be fine on its own without a great whole grain mustard cream sauce.

Nick Ryan’s Saloon has roughly a handful of inventive entrée salads and pub food staples on the sandwich side (burgers, fish sandwich, etc.). But get to the entrees and that’s where some big flavor is. Braised Beef Short Ribs are juicy and fall-off-the-bone tender, served atop cauliflower mousseline that will give you a new appreciation for an otherwise bland veggie. The Shrimp & Grits use Weisenberger Mill grits and give you some good-sized prawns and a delicious seafood veloute. But I was a huge fan of the 12 oz. Grilled Pork Chop, which was marinated, seasoned and grilled perfectly. The herbed butter on top and the pile of mashed potatoes it rests on were just extra goodness.

And Nick Ryan’s Saloon has been mindful of the economy when it comes to pricing. With the exception of the Filet Mignon, no entrée on the menu exceeds 19 bucks.

Another thing I like about Nick Ryan’s Saloon is its dessert menu. While small, it appeals to both my “classy” side and baser food instincts. The fact they serve various types of Crème Brulee AND Fried Oreos with Ice Cream just goes to show you if they like the way it tastes, it might end up on the menu.

With the restaurant’s success, Nick Ryan’s Saloon is expanding and connecting to the property next door, which will seat an extra 35 guests inside and be home to Nick’s Patio Grill outside, with considerable patio seating and it’s own separate grilled menu options.

As you drive by Nick Ryan’s Saloon, you will notice the lettering is topped with and old-fashioned bowler hat, an obvious tribute to the namesake’s original era. Something tells me if Nick was sitting at the bar enjoying a Kentucky Pain Killer and the restaurant’s take on American staples, that hat would probably be respectfully tipped.

Serving Brunch on Saturdays | Reservations Accepted 859.233.7900 | nickryans.com |157 West Jefferson Street, Lexington, KY 40508

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BRIGITTE NGUYEN She came for love and found her passion

by Michelle Rauch Photo by Shaun Ring

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Who’s Who “Food has always been a part of my life,” she explained, but Brigitte Nguyen never imagined her love of food would take her on such a great journey. “I knew it was something I enjoyed, but I never thought it could be a career path until I found myself in an unsatisfying one.”

The California native started her career as a financial statement auditor. She spent her time going to large companies to audit their books. The job of checking other people’s work left her somewhat empty-handed at the end of the day, as she was not creating anything of her own. She didn’t have to look too far to pinpoint what direction to take.

“I think that it’s one of the greatest gestures, to invite someone into your home to cook for them. That’s extremely personal,”

Brigitte’s parents immigrated to the United States in 1975 from Vietnam. They brought their love of food with them. “Cooking was always my mom’s way of relaxing, plus it was a way of bringing our family together,” she says. That celebration of food was not lost on Brigitte. Since her mom worked full time, the only leisure time mother and daughter spent together was evenings and weekends. The activity of choice was grocery shopping and cooking together. Her mother also introduced her to the joy of shopping the local farmers market each week in California.

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When Brigitte met Central Kentucky native Michael Prather on the West Coast six years ago, little did she know then how much it would change the direction of her life. The pair maintained a longdistance relationship for a year and a half when Brigitte decided to make a big life change and move to Kentucky and eventually marry Prather. She thought it couldn’t be a better time to change careers, too. Her decision to pursue a culinary career in Kentucky was met with skepticism. “No one thinks of Lexington as a culinary destination. When I told a partner at the company I was moving to Kentucky to pursue a culinary career he said, ‘What are you going to do, cook grits all day?’”

Brigitte wasn’t really sure what was in store for her, and admits she initially didn’t think anything could match the diversity of the California scene, which she describes as a melting pot of international flavors. But then she got here.

“Oh, it’s a huge surprise! I realized there is so much more culinary inspiration here than meets the eye,” she says.

Who’s Who Brigitte is deeply impressed with the history of people who are extremely passionate about food and are eager to share stories of what they ate at their grandma’s house. “There is pride in that Southern cuisine, that homemade family recipe,” Brigitte says. Of course, there was a learning curve.

Brigitte had never heard of, let alone tasted, some Kentucky staples like burgoo, hot browns, bourbon sauce, pimento cheese and beer cheese. She now savors these regional food identities.

Brigitte’s first step was to enroll in Sullivan University’s culinary school. While she was there, she had opportunities to cook professionally in restaurants. She worked in the kitchen at Idle Hour Country Club and then at Holly Hill Inn (Brigitte says the food there is unmatched, featuring local and seasonal ingredients) under the leadership of Ouita Michel. “She’s a household name around here. I knew I’d learn a lot from her. She has become one of my greatest friends and mentors,” Brigitte says of Ouita.

Brigitte has watched the food scene in Central Kentucky evolve during the last five years. The Lexington Farmers Market has grown. Local restaurants are making a concerted effort to

embrace food trends. The local farm to table trend is taking off.

She says, “It’s successful for a reason. At the end of the day, the food just tastes better.”

A fortunate accident led Brigitte to her first food competition in 2007. It was international cuisine quarter at school. She created a traditional Vietnamese deli sandwich for the class. It’s built on a baguette but when her partner burned the baguettes, the only bread left in the kitchen was a tray of rolls. So Brigitte did what any great cook would do and improvised; she turned the sandwich into sliders. That’s when the light bulb went off and she thought it would make a great burger.

The deadline for the Sutter Home Winery Build A Better Burger contest was that same day. Brigitte typed up her recipe and sent it in. A week and a half later she got a telephone call informing her she was a top ten finalist picked out of 8,000 entries! That earned her a trip for two to Napa for a weekend of wining, dining and the big burger competition. Brigitte came in 2nd place and took home a $2,000 cash prize, as well as some keen insight; “I realized there is a huge circuit for food contests,” she says.

The following year, Brigitte was back for the Food Network’s Ultimate Recipe Showdown hosted by Guy Fieri. Four contestants and their recipes were pitted against one another for a grand prize of $25,000. Brigitte lost the contest by one point.

That loss was just the beginning of something bigger.

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Who’s Who On that same fateful trip to New York, she was able to meet with Food Network executives, who recognized Brigitte’s love of food and enthusiasm. Her spirit and expertise has earned Brigitte local and national opportunities to share what she knows with others. Brigitte takes the show on the road and tours the research facilities and test kitchens of America’s most successful food companies on the show From the Kitchens Of... which airs on the Cooking Channel, Food Network’s sister channel. During each program, Brigitte and viewers learn about the history and success of household names like Pillsbury and Hidden Valley Ranch. There’s a twist; Brigitte takes the familiar and uses it in an unfamiliar way to showcase the diversity of the product.

Brigitte is a regular guest Tuesdays on LEX18 News at 12:30pm.

She hosts a new weekly cooking show, The KY Proud Kitchen, Sunday mornings at 11:30 on Fox 56, during which Brigitte highlights Kentucky Proud ingredients and often visits a local Kentucky Proud producer. “We’re trying to promote locally grown and produced items. We want to get people into the kitchen and inspire them to cook with these ingredients, which in turn, helps support our economy,” she says.

Food is becoming a lifestyle. “It’s a source of entertainment and joy for people. Food is a huge conversation topic. People always want to talk about what they’re cooking, what they’re eating, where it came from where they bought it. When you hear what people cook all of the sudden you know so much more about them. It’s very telling,” Brigitte says.

Her list of must-have pantry essentials include: fresh produce, good meats, organic eggs, olive oil, butter, a variety of cheeses and dry goods like flour, sugar, cornmeal, and grains. And of course, salt and pepper. She says a lot of people don’t season enough. She finds fresh herbs are underutilized and offer just the right pop.

Growing your own herbs provides convenience and freshness right at your fingertips.

Brigitte believes you can be self-taught if you are willing to think outside the box and experiment. “I truly believe anyone can cook.

Anyone can follow a recipe. Then once you have the confidence, you can cook without them.” She says all it takes is starting simply with the best ingredients. Don’t get flustered if you are missing an ingredient. Brigitte says, “Feel free to wing it and try substitutions.

It will be just fine.”

Being able to make a living doing what she loves is icing on the cake and a source of pride for her mom, who spent 25 years in Corporate America. She took the train to work many days with a casserole dish in her lap to share something homemade with her co-workers at the office. Her mom even headed a culinary club at work. The love of bringing people together through food is a passion Brigitte carries on.

Brigitte is on a roll and looks forward to doing more food TV. Brigitte hopes she inspires people to buy great ingredients, try new recipes, and ultimately, experiment and improvise in the kitchen. “That’s what I love... liberating people from recipes.”

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COME MEET BRIGITTE You can meet Brigitte during the third annual Kentucky Proud Incredible Food Show, for which she is the spokesperson. This food show is for food lovers, whether you relish the art of cooking, you’re an amateur cook, or you just love to eat, you will find something on Saturday, October 8th at the Lexington Convention Center. Browse through more than a hundred vendors including Kentucky Proud producers, specialty food companies and local restaurants. Enjoy samples, shopping and seminars in The Marketplace. Topics to tempt your taste buds include “Lexington Pasta Stuffed, Tucked and Rolled”, “Secrets of the Bluegrass Chefs”, and “Dinner in 10.” Watch local and regional chefs do what they do best right in front of you. Meet cookbook authors and leave with a signed copy of their publication.

Two stages will be set up in Rupp Arena for the headliners. Bravo network‘s Top Chef Season 6 winner and runner-up, brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio will be there.

Sullivan University will host several culinary demos including competition style cookoffs using a mystery basket of ingredients.

The early bird gets the worm at this show... if you are among the first 300 through the door you’ll enjoy a free breakfast, Kentucky Proud Style, prepared by Sullivan University chefs.

incrediblefoodshow.com

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What To Do

POSH PAWS

MAKE THAT KITTY QUIT CLAWING

by Amanda Harper, Pet Aficionado

Kitty clawing habits are a huge source of frustration for cat owners.

Trying to curb these destructive behaviors is often a frustrating cycle of increasing poor pet behaviors, which baffles owners and often results in unhelpful tactics of punishment.

The first thing a cat parent really should understand is that cats need to scratch. Scratching helps remove a clear sheath that grows over the claws. Additionally, it provides physical activity, enjoyment and helps mark territory. Scratching is a natural instinct to cats, and a difficult one for them to overcome. Your favorite armchair looks like any other scratchable surface to your cat—you can’t blame her for being confused!

The first step to helping your cat stop scratching stuff she shouldn’t is to offer her okay-to-scratch alternatives. Choose scratching posts and pads that are covered with thick, tough materials such as sisal. Open-edged cardboard is a great alternative. Ensure that these okay surfaces are at least three feet long or high – cats like to stretch out while they scratch.

These can be placed in spots where your cat already scratches.

Sprinkling catnip on and around these scratchable surfaces will encourage your kitty to explore. Often, a proper scratching surface is all that’s needed; once your feline friend discovers the wonderful texture, they won’t return to your antique table legs again.

Another method that might be helpful is to trim your cat’s claws or apply plastic nail caps. A groomer or vet can often handle the claw-trimming for you, but it’s easy to complete

at home, as well. Trimming your cat’s claws won’t eliminate scratching, but it will lessen the impact. Plastic nail caps are easy to apply at home and make it impossible for your feline friend to get his claws in your favorite sofa. (Remember, declawing a cat is rarely the solution – the risks far outweigh the benefits.)

Remember to reward good behavior! Whenever you catch your kitty scratching an approved scratch spot, offer her a treat, praise and plenty of petting once he’s done. The same goes if your cat behaves nicely during a claw trimming or nail cap application.

Never use physical means to rebuke your pet when she practices bad behavior; this teaches her that you’re the schoolyard bully, and will actually cause her to act out more. Loud noises can be useful reminders, but if your cat starts becoming skittish when you talk loudly, you’re definitely overdoing it.

Cover areas the cat frequently scratches with double-sided tape. Cats hate the sticky feeling and won’t enjoy scratching there anymore. This can be an unsightly item in your home, but often, it’s a temporary necessity. After a while, your cat will associate stickiness with that spot and won’t return. If the item being scratched is too beautiful and important to cover with tape, find a way to limit the cat’s access to it.

Finally, make sure your cat is getting exercise. Toys that encourage cats to pounce, stretch, run and flex their paws are excellent diversions. They help your cat get the same exercise that he’d be getting from stretching out to scratch your couch but has benefits for his health and happiness—and your sanity!

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GUESS WHO’S COMING…YOUR INVITED GUEST

by Sue Ann Truitt Entertainment Specialist

Fall signals Keeneland and Football! Thus, it becomes a golden opportunity to invite houseguests.

When they accept your invitation, it is time to prepare. Advance planning assures a relaxed hostess when the guests arrive.

Getting the house in order, especially the guest quarters, sets the stage. When the visit is confirmed, and after the preliminary planning, contact the visitors so they can be prepared as well. Make certain that they understand when to arrive, the scheduled activities, types of clothes needed and possible weather predictions.

At this time, it would be helpful to ask about any special needs– allergies to foods, pets, bedding, etc. In addition, provide a clear set of directions to your house or confirm their flights.

For some people, hosting overnight guests is a futon in the den or a blow-up mattress in the living room. Others are fortunate to have a special room just for guests. Most importantly, they should be made comfortable and to feel welcome. The first step in preparing this haven is to be certain that it is really clean not just a “once over lightly” job. After that, it is fun to go the second mile to get the room ready for your guests. Pay close attention to the mattress to determine that it is firm and doesn’t sag. The sheets must match and be freshly laundered.

This is the time to iron the sheets using your best scented ironing water. If time is at a premium, at least iron the pillow cases and the turn down part of the top sheet. Cover the box springs with a second fitted sheet so that the bed looks complete when it is open for sleeping.

Photo by Walt Roycroft

Several touches that might make your guests feel that the red carpet has been rolled out for them: · Provide a luggage rack or a bench for each guest. · Clear a space in the closet for hanging clothes with nice plastic or padded hangers–all matching, of course. · Clean out a drawer and add fresh, scented liner paper. · On the bedside table place a carafe with a glass or a bottle of water sitting on a small silver tray.

A working alarm clock should be available. Also, on the table must be a good reading lamp accompanied by a current magazine (like TOPS!) and a good book. Lastly, complete the table with a small vase of fresh flowers and a scented candle. · Other possibilities for the room could be a note pad and pen, a small tissue package, a small silver bowl filled with mints and a sewing kit with scissors. · A comfortable chair and ottoman are always a welcomed addition in the well-appointed guest room. · A small, clean decorative wastebasket should not be forgotten. · A selection of different types of pillows in the top of the closet might help the guest get a good night’s rest. · At the end of the bed, there should be a folded soft throw or blanket for napping. · A “Surprise Something” that would not be expected is such a fun addition to the guest room.

For example, a Lady Primrose crystal handled brush unlocks a dusting silk which could be lightly whisked across the fresh pillow case; a small wrapped present awaiting the guest atop their pillow; a bowl of fresh fruits, or a picture of your guest and you in a silver frame.

All these touches can make your guests feel very special. What a great way to show how much you care!

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Who’s Who

by Kristin Espeland Gourlay

It could have been just another unsolved crime.

A young man was murdered at a gas station near New Circle and Broadway, one weekend about two years ago. The killer fled. And while the station’s surveillance video captured the suspect’s grainy image, police realized they couldn’t identify him without a little help. Local media agreed to show the video and write about the crime, asking for any information that could lead police to the suspect. Luckily, someone who saw the video happened to know the suspect, and where he was hiding out. That person decided to pick up the phone, leading police to the murderer. The case was closed within a week, thanks in part to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers.

Since its inception in 1987, Bluegrass Crime Stoppers has helped solve nearly 7000 crimes in the area. The program gives citizens the means to call or send in tips, such as a suspect’s name or hideout, offering rewards of up to $1000 for tips that lead to arrests. The key word here is anonymous.

No tipster’s identity has ever been revealed, thanks to the program’s elaborate precautions, reassuring would-be callers who fear retaliation.

“People, I know, sometimes are apprehensive because they feel they are snitching. That’s a moral dilemma for some people,” says Detective Robert Sarrantonio. From his office in Lexington Police headquarters, Sarrantonio coordinates the Crime Stoppers program. “But we do have a lot of repeat callers.”

Sarrantonio receives nearly 100 tips a month, either by phone (Crime Stoppers tip line: 859-253-2020 or 877-970-2020) or via the web at bluegrasscrimestoppers.com.

He personally screens the information and decides whether it’s useful enough to pass along to detectives working that case. To make that determination, Sarrantonio says, he tries to gather as much information as possible from the caller about the crime and the suspect, including how he or she knows that person. A tip from someone with a real connection to the suspect is usually more credible.

“That’s probably one of the hardest things,” Sarrantonio says, “the credibility of it.” “You try to put a level of validation on how credible that tip is.”

Photos courtesy of Kristin Espeland Gourlay and Alex Orlov

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Bluegrass Crime Stoppers is just one of many local and regional chapters of Crime Stoppers International, which began in 1976 in New Mexico with Albuquerque Police Detective Greg MacAleese. After six weeks of investigating a university student’s murder during a gas station robbery, MacAleese had few leads. So he decided to get a local

WKYT (Channel 27) airs Crime Stoppers segments every Tuesday and the local Fox affiliate airs spots throughout the week, including everything from a photo of the suspect to surveillance video to a walk-through of the crime scene with a detective explaining what happened. On the radio, Crime Stoppers “crime of the week” spots air on AM 590, and

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

To preserve a tipster’s anonymity, Sarrantonio takes calls television station to air a reenactment of the crime, and on a simple, white land line with no caller ID. Anonymity is the next day, an anonymous caller provided enough also protected online, where tipsters can not only provide information to lead police to two suspects. The crime was details about a suspect or a crime but also upload a photo, solved within 72 hours, and Crime Stoppers was born. all without identifying themselves.

Today, chapters of the nonprofit Every tipster is assigned a code, organization operate across the “Sometimes,” says Sarrantonio, never a name. And those who United States and around the “it’s not CSI. There’s no magic choose can follow up on a case to globe, including in Canada, India, hair sitting somewhere. That’s see if a tip has lead to an arrest. To Australia and Jamaica. Crime claim the reward, tipsters receive Stoppers International reports its why we need the public’s help, a password, which they must use work has since helped clear nearly because that’s TV police work, when they go to a neutral location 1.5 million cases and recovered that’s not real-life police work. to pick up their money from a third more than $10 billion dollars. party. The process may sound You may not have that magic Like their counterparts worldwide, more like the stuff of international Bluegrass Crime Stoppers partners piece of evidence.” espionage thrillers than routine, with local media to publicize local police work, but the fact is certain crimes, which Sarrantonio selects based on input that it’s been working for police departments and people from detectives working the cases, the seriousness of interested in fighting crime for decades, all over the world. the crime, and the quality of information available on it.

Detective Sarrantonio checks for new tips in his office at Lexington Police headquarters, photo by Kristin Espeland Gourlay

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While Detective Sarrantonio says the majority of calls are about crimes they haven’t publicized, when it comes to those they have, about 60% come from having seen something on television, and about 40% from a crime featured on their web site.

However they come in, Sarrantonio says those tips are invaluable, because crime scenes don’t always contain enough evidence for police to go on.

“Sometimes,” says Sarrantonio, “it’s not CSI. There’s no magic hair sitting somewhere. That’s why we need the public’s help, because that’s TV police work, that’s not reallife police work.

You may not have that magic piece of evidence.”

There’s no magic piece of evidence, for example, in a case long since gone cold, one that Sarrantonio says he’d love to see solved. But Crime Stoppers continues

to hold out for a useful tip in the case of Joyce Crider, a Lexington woman who has been missing since 2002. What police do know is that, on December 1st, 2001, Crider’s husband, Bill, filed for divorce. On January 27, 2002, Joyce met a friend, just after talking to Bill. Then at 7:30 pm that evening, she left her friend to go meet her ex-husband.

Joyce Crider hasn’t been seen since. And even though the case is nearly 10 years old, a reward is still on offer for any information that leads to an arrest.

How much of a reward? That’s up to the Bluegrass Crime Stoppers advisory board, made up of citizens from all walks of community life. They meet once a month to determine reward amounts, as well as help raise funds for those rewards.

Andrew DeSimone chairs the Bluegrass Crime Stoppers board. He found the organization through a United Way program aimed at connecting community members with local non-profits needing new board members. “I’ve been a lifelong resident of Lexington,” he says, “and I knew that Crime Stoppers was an important organization for the community.”

Detective Sarrantonio and volunteers at the annual Golf Scramble fund-raiser

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

the Lexington He r a l d -L e a d e r runs a Crime Stoppers ad on Tuesdays.

But DeSimone, an attorney with Sturgill, Turner, Barker & Moloney, knows that raising funds for an organization people might not perceive as benefiting them directly can be a challenge. “I think it’s because not everyone is touched by crime, you know? It’s sort of hypothetical to people before it touches them. [But] I would say that the community itself benefits greatly by keeping criminals off the streets,” says DeSimone.

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Who’s Who

“I don’t think it’s a problem,” he says, pointing out that competitive shooting is a popular sport, and many Shoot Out participants enjoy the chance to give back to the community by doing what they love. Plus, it’s a chance for the public to interact with officers, who are on hand to teach competitors, one on one, how to handle their guns safely.

And that interaction represents one part of the “triangle,” as Sarrantonio calls it, which makes Crime Stoppers so successful: the partnership between the public, the police, and, of course, the media.

The Annual Shoot Out Fund-raiser for Bluegrass Crime Stoppers

For more information about Bluegrass Crime Stoppers Visit http://bluegrasscrimestoppers.com

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

a crime-fighting program to raffle off a gun, Sarrantonio smiles.

To submit an anonymous tip about a crime: • Visit bluegrasscrimestoppers.com and click on the “Web Tips” link at the top of the page; Despite the challenges, DeSimone says he’s “learned that the community really supports police officers” and has been “impressed by how people come together with fundraising.”

• Text “Tips2020,” plus your tip, to CRIMES (274637);

To raise the $50,000 or so Bluegrass Crime Stoppers needs to operate (not including Detective Robert Sarrantonio’s salary, which is paid by the police department); the organization welcomes donations any time, on the web or in the mail. In addition, it holds three major fund-raisers a year, including the annual “Golf Scramble,” in which 100 golfers or 25 teams pay to play for the nonprofit. In October, WKYT provides a commercial-free hour of airtime for the Crime Stoppers Telethon.

To watch for Crime Stoppers news:

And in late August, supporters can sign up for the annual “Shoot Out,” where civilians and members of law enforcement pay a fee to compete individually and on teams at the Lexington police shooting range. There’s even a raffle drawing for a Glock pistol, the kind local police actually carry. Asked whether it sends the right message for

• Or call 877-970-2020.

• Tune in to WKYT Channel 27’s 12 PM, 5:30 PM and 11 PM newscasts on Tuesdays, or visit http://www.wkyt. com/crimestoppers any time to watch Crime Stopper videos; • Pick up a copy of the Lexington Herald-Leader on Tuesdays for the Crime Stoppers’ ad; • Set your radio dial to 590 AM to hear Crime Stoppers’ spots throughout the week.

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Who’s Who

MEET THE MEDIA TOM ACKERMAN: A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

by Michelle Rauch

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Who’s Who “I’ve always been a science-weather geek.” That’s how LEX18 morning and noon meteorologist Tom Ackerman describes himself. But in spite of the allure of weather, his chosen career was not initially on his radar.

When Tom was in his late teens and early twenties he enlisted in the military. “I have always been kind of an aviation buff.

I knew that enlisting in the service if I couldn’t fly I wanted to work around planes. That’s what I told my recruiter, so I ended up on the flight deck of the carrier.” As a member of the Navy, he was assigned to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower from ‘92-’96. As an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate he was responsible for the catapults on the flight deck (the men at sea wearing the green jerseys and launching aircraft from the flight deck). During his down time he was a mechanic, maintaining the hydrolic and steam systems that power the aircraft catapults. It was a valuable experience for him that shaped the next direction he’d take.

on the go, moving around and staying at what people in the business affectionately call ‘crash pads’. Tom decided being away from home that much was not for him.

He didn’t stray too far off course, studying aviation weather, and after earning his degree pursued a career in weather broadcasting. First stop, Northern Wisconsin. Although Tom describes the area as gorgeous, it was a short stay. After eleven months and one Wisonsin winter he moved on. Next stop, Columbia, South Carolina where he forecasted at a local TV station for two years before moving to Lexington and settling in ten years ago.

“I like Lexington because it’s a city but it acts like a small town.”

“I got the G.I. bill out of it. It didn’t make sense to burn money on college when I didn’t know what I wanted to do. The one great thing about the military is it really crystallizes your thoughts about your future. It was a good motivator to get out and pursue a career,” he says.

When Tom got out of the Navy he enrolled in flight school at Kent State. He earned his private pilot’s license and considered a career as a commercial pilot. He decided against that path after talking with commercial pilots about their lifestyle. A life

Tom says, “I like Lexington because it’s a city but it acts like a small town.

Everybody says that, but they say it because it’s true. There is a ton of stuff that is available here but you don’t feel like you’re in the middle of gridlock in a big city–which I love.” When he got into the business his goal was to get closer to home. He’s achieved that. Tom grew up in Dover, OH. A small town in East-Northeast Ohio just south of Akron. “I’ve had interests in big cities but I’m not really a big city type. This is as big a town as I’d like to live in,” he says. The four and a half hour drive back to his hometown and family is a plus.

The Business of Weather “I just enjoy weather because it’s always changing. Every day it’s the same job, but every day presents something different,”

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Who’s Who says Tom. It’s the variety that engages Tom although he admits he is partial to wintertime. “I love snow–I’m a huge snow fan. I like the severe aspect of weather in general, the severe storms, but I’m a huge snow junkie. Wintertime is my favorite season.”

While severe weather coverage is a “biggie” and vital to the safety of the viewers since more people tune in during those times, he’s challenged every other day of the year. “I think the biggest challenge day to day is accurancy in forecasting. It’s really easy to jump on the big events when they come through, but the daily vigilance of nailing the forecast is the most challenging part.”

Family Man “I’m kind of a stay at home type.

I don’t really go out a lot.” Tom and his wife have two daughters ages six and eight. “They keep me hopping,” he says. In spite of his work schedule (which begins at 2:30am) Tom says he isn’t a “morning person”, but “It works well for me because I like being off in the afternoon and getting the kids off the bus.” If he worked the evening shift he would never see his girls. His shift allows him time to attend the girl’s recitals and everything else they are involved in. “I just stay up late that night and deal with it the next day and take power naps,” says Tom. Green Thumb Tom and his wife do a lot of gardening.

“When I was growing up, I lived in a small town and my grandparents lived in a small town. It was ru-

ral, so all I remember growing up is gardens as far as you could see; that put the bug in me early.”

He isn’t limiting himself to your everyday garden variety of vegetables. His garden is rich in color and flavor. One favorite is an heirloom tomato from his wife’s side of the family. “We call them Uncle Chuck’s because it comes from Uncle Chuck in Pennsylvania, but as far as tracing it back, it’s somewhere around one hundred to one hundred and fifty years ago. I’m not sure where he got it from. Some of the seeds in the family are pretty old which I think is cool.” Unlike what you get at the grocery, Tom finds heirloom tomatoes have a different flavor and allow gardeners to experiment with all the varieties, which he enjoys.

The garden is leading Tom and his wife into the kitchen. They are learning to can their vegetables for the first time. “My grandma used to do it all the time when I was a kid. I remember being in her basement with her cooking for weeks in the summer . She would just can anything she could get her hands on,” he says.

If I had a Hammer Tom is a woodworker too. He enjoys building furniture. From basic home repairs to bookshelves and a mantel for the fireplace, it’s a creative hobby he can share with his family.

“I’ve built most of the kid’s (furniture) the dresser and the beds.” It’s a source of solace. “It’s quiet, which doesn’t make a lot of sense I guess because of the power tools . It’s kind of a solitary

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Who’s Who thing where you just work with it . Its actually kind of relaxing.” Almost. “I absolutely hate finishing. I can’t stand staining, the polyurethane of finishing. My wife loves that so I basically build it and she finishes it. We’re a combo,” Tom says.

Cat or Dog Person?

“We’re definately Greyhound people,” he says. “They are just giant dogs but it’s like having a cat in your house. There’s a misconception about them since they run so fast. Everyone thinks they are crazy and will tear up your house.” Quite the contrary. Tom says all they need is a walk once a day and a nice romp in the yard and they are ready to relax and be the ultimate companion dog. At their peak, the Ackermans had three Greyhounds in their home. “Right now we just have a little humane society mutt.” They adopted the pup so their daughters could enjoy raising a dog from infancy, challenges and all! Since racing Greyhounds are typically adopted after they retire from the track they’ve always had adults. They plan to adopt more Greyhounds in the future.

Music to His Ears Tom loves music and listens to a variety. He’s on a Neil Young kick right now. He is a fan of music that is somewhere between country and rock (alternate country). He grew up listening to 80’s pop and 90’s alternative grunge. “That’s the kind of stuff that appeals to me.” Tom is eager to recommend a newer artist he’s developing an interest in. He describes Raphael Saddiq as a Motown throwback that sounds like Stevie Wonder. “It’s really cool because it has this vintage quality to it,” Tom says.

What’s Next?

“I’m trying to do a half marathon before forty. That’s been my goal.” He’s been a a runner for years, not what he would call a religious runner, but a runner nonetheless. Tom has registered for the Iron Horse Half Marathon in Midway. With an October deadline, it’s a motivator to reach his goal. “Hopefully I’ll do that without any major injuries,” he says with a smile. If all goes well he may venture into a full marathon after that.

You can watch Tom Ackerman’s forecasts every weekday on LEX18 News at Sunrise (5am, Noon, and 12:30pm)

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What To Do

IN THE ‘BUF’

SNOW WHITE, SERIOUSLY?

by Buffy Lawson Relationship Veteran

My cheese doesn’t fit fairly and squarely on the cracker; however, at this point in my life I’m not overly concerned, because when you really get to know anybody on an honest level, it becomes evident that we are all a bit kooky in our own way. As long as you are not Charlie Sheen kooky, you are probably winning on many levels in this crazy world, despite your idiosyncrasies. How boring and dreadfully robotic would life be if we were all perfectly “normal.” Thus, rainbow is my favorite color.

That being said, there is no question that finding a healthy, long-lasting romantic relationship can be a very difficult, seemingly impossible undertaking. The key is, finding somebody that you have chemistry with, similar moral beliefs and a person that has quirks that you can live with.

It seems to me that we are set up for failure as little girls when we are introduced to the (in retrospect) ever so annoying, Snow White. Let’s see; Snow White sees a handsome man, ONE TIME and is apparently so smitten that she sings songs about him to the chirping birds while the flowers and bushes sway in co-dependant support of her clearly obsessive, disturbing behavior. Not only did she not even know his name, but couldn’t possibly have been aware of his dysfunctional behaviors that were certain to exist.

Snow White eventually stumbles upon a small cottage that turns out to be occupied by seven little dwarves. In order to be loved by them all, she cooks, cleans, washes and yes…sings for them. All of the time.

I do understand the sweetness of fairy tails and realize the purpose of fantasy, but I would certainly have been more inspired

by Snow White (and better prepared for real life) if she had said “Hey, sleepy! You mind getting off of your lazy butt and pick up a dish?” Or perhaps, “Grumpy! Seriously? Don’t you think we are all very tired of that rotten little attitude?”

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No question, after the honeymoon phase of a relationship is over, the “real deal” is anything but a fairytale. Blending two kooky people for the long-term is a nearly supernatural task that even in the most healthy, natural, relationships, takes hard work. As I always say, the Aliens must be laughing.

It is required that two individuals must be on basically the same page about finances, religion, children, careers, household duties, etc. This does not even take into consideration all of the annoying little habits that come with the package. Such as strange chewing, twitching, snoring and compulsive foot tapping.

During the honeymoon phase those habits go unnoticed as they are negated by ‘rose covered’ glasses and ‘raging pheromones’. The first time the pheromones wear off, it can get ugly— fast. Because now, folks, you will discover if this relationship is that of genuine love or lust, or a hopeful attempt at avoidance of being alone.

The day that the pheromones wore off between me and Mister Man, it was a beautiful morning as we sat at the kitchen table reading the paper, eating breakfast as we always do. Then it happened. It was a horrific moment. He slurped his coffee. And I mean slurped as it seemed to last for thirty seconds or more. He sat his cup down on the table, gave me a brief smile and continued to read his paper. But I couldn’t help continue observing him and hoped he would not notice the tense look on my face. He picked the cup back up and…sssslllllluuuuurrrrrrpppp. When did he start doing this I wondered to myself in shock? After all, we had been drinking coffee together for months and I had never noticed this incredibly annoying sound before. © Disney

I started putting on classical music in the mornings which was very helpful.

Although that didn’t hide all of the other little “things” that were exposed over the years. The one saving grace is that, of course, I have nothing that ever gets on his nerves; so we do just fine…

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What To Do

TOP DESIGN

DECONSTRUCTED CENTERPIECES

by Doug Smith, Floral Designer

”Deconstructed centerpiece,” you say?

Hold on to your daisies for a moment!

Picture this: your Fettuccine a la Carbonara is bubbling away on the stove; the flavors of roma tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil and the bite of balsamic vinegar for the Caprese Salad are mingling; the wine, to your palate’s delight, perfectly complements the flavors of the meal—hey you had to try it before you served it to your guests, right? Let’s see… what’s missing? Ah, flowers!

Fresh ingredients make a good meal. Why not take a fresh approach with your floral centerpiece, too?

Whether you choose your flowers from your local grocery store or your favorite florist, your options are not limited to the concept of stuffing the blooms into a single vase like an Australian Sheep Dog would herd its flock into a corner of a pen. There’s nothing wrong with this type centerpiece, but if you want to try something new, then stick with me Pssst…This is where the deconstructed part comes in.

So you have your bundle of blooms; now let’s do the unexpected.

Organize your stems on the counter by like flower–daisies with daisies, roses with roses--you get it.

Gather some interesting, smaller vases to hold the flowers–probably seven or eight will hold your typical grocer’s bouquet. What do I mean by interesting vases? Clear glass cubes and cylinders make for great contemporary settings while canning jars mixed with artsy vases lend themselves to a more casual, funky feel. You can vary the sizes of your containers—mix taller and shorter ones, or go with similar sizes.

Engage your creativity here. The idea is to showcase the individual blooms. It’s perfectly fine to place one stem in a vase if you wish;don’t worry, it won’t get lonely. But you can put as many in each vase as you wish. Typically you want to cut the stems to a length to which the head of the flowers are closer to the rim of the vessel. Remember, don’t choose vases that are so tall that they impede your vision and conversation with the guest across from you.

Here’s where the arranging part comes back into play. You’re arranging all the vases on your table instead of arranging the flowers in a single vase. You want to generally place the taller vases on the inside of your presentation and the shorter ones on the outside as this balances the arrangement. But experiment, and see what looks good to you. You can line them up like soldiers in a rank or you can let them roam the table like sheep; you decide. Hey, whose party is it anyway?

Here is a great tip: consider adding votive candles to the design of your arrangement. They add texture, and the flicker of the flame adds movement and visual warmth to your centerpiece.

For those who like ultimate control (you know who you are) you can stop by your local florist and tell him or her, for example, exactly what shade of orange you want and how many stems you will need to free your inner “budding” artist.

This concept of deconstructing your arrangement will allow your flowers to occupy more real estate; giving you a greater visual impact for your investment. After all, flowers are more than just the stuff on your table. Some people say it’s also a driving force behind global politics, culture and economics.

Now go “wow” your guests with a fabulous centerpiece!

photos by Clayton Harvey Photography

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Who’s Who

Town

by Amanda Harper

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Photography by Shaun Ring

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With New York loft style in the heart of the Downtown Lexington, our “Town” kitchen evokes sleek city style while maintaining a comfortable setting for entertaining, cooking and socializing. Exposed ductwork, track lighting, stainless steel elements and rustic wood doors bring out an industrial flair while the dark wood, granite countertops and minimalist features offer a very contemporary feel.

Located in The Nunn Building, this kitchen was originally an L-shape. Architectural Kitchens & Bath helped change the layout to make more efficient use of the space.

The sink was moved to the oversized island, making it more like an open galley kitchen, connected to entertaining spaces. With a flush inset microwave and built-in flush inset sub-zero refrigerator, this kitchen offers topof-the-line appliances alongside convenient design. A wine cooler frees up space in the refrigerator and makes entertaining on the fly a snap.

The dark, custom-stained walnut cabinetry was created by Crystal Cabinets. In renovating the space, the designers shipped the kitchen door all the way to Montgomery, Alabama to have the wood match perfectly.

The payoff is huge. The cohesiveness of the wood throughout the space creates a wholly modern visual appeal. The matched wood and horizontal tile in the backsplash lengthen the kitchen area, as well.

For those looking to recreate this contemporary kitchen’s style, blend industrial with minimal. Rough wood flooring, exposed beams, visible ductwork and natural tile can create a textural contrast against sleek cabinetry and countertops. Stick to a very tight color palette of dark, warm neutrals.

Stainless steel appliances and hardware strike a contemporary chord. Multi-level lighting brightens up the space.

Architectural Kitchens & Bath, Robin Gillespie, Design Link, Nancy Elam, Warner Builders LLC

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The “Country” kitchen in Winchester was built in 1956. Designed with the aim of a wonderful place to prep, cook or gather with families and friends, this kitchen blends Kentucky style with down-home hospitality.

The ceiling in this space was raised by two feet. The tin ceiling tiles were installed, then trimmed out with white moldings to help maximize the light and create the illusion of an even larger space.

The white cabinetry makes a seamless wall fixture, again creating the appearance of a larger space. The sage green cover over the stove hood, as well as the island, offer rustic appeal while picking up on some of the color in the pale marble countertops. Antiqued brass hardware and light fixtures offer warmth and charm. Custom antique leaded glass doors, which allow a peek inside the cabinets, complement original glasswork in the foyer. Richly-hued antique rugs bring in a pop of color at ground level.

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Who’s Who

The central island serves a number of purposes. It features a second sink for vegetable prep. It also offers integrated dining space for casual entertaining. The long table can also be easily converted to prep space in a pinch, making the kitchen a hub of activity during holidays or other family gatherings.

For other kitchens, adding Southern style often requires only a few easy upgrades. Faux-distressed cabinetry and woodwork adds the appearance of years of love and laughter in a home. Utilizing paneling as a backsplash in the same hue as the cabinets adds visual contrast. Bringing in much of the color through rugs, curtains, accessories and floral arrangements makes the space not only feel more welcoming but also makes it versatile for every season. In-kitchen dining space is an excellent way to bring family and friends together.

Creative Kitchen and Bath (Derrick Whitaker), JWI Construction

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What To Do

PARENTING

SHOPPING WITH TEENAGE GIRLS: RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

by Hallie Bandy

over

Motherboard

v

Of all the teenage experiences I made my mother live through, shopping is the one she recalls with the most disdain.

I really have no idea why. The fact that I looked for clothing not yet manufactured at every mall within 100 miles of home may have had something to do with it.

Of course I never expected anything similar from my own daughter.

But then she turned 13.

Despite my determination not to be defined as “mother of a teenage daughter,” you can’t ignore age 13—the zenith of adolescence. I tried not to take things too personally, because, as teenagers go, she really didn’t give me much to complain about. Monosyballic, yes – but she did talk.

I must confess, however; despite my best efforts, the shopping experience was completely transformed. No longer a motherdaughter bonding opportunity, it became an exercise in character building and physical stamina. For me.

I first noticed this new phase looking for her Easter dress–er, ensemble.

It was then I recalled, from the far recesses of my own adolescent memory, the tricky rules to shopping with a teenage girl. The trickiest part: Mom has to figure the rules out on her own.

Trouble is, now I’m the Mom. Rule number one is obvious almost immediately: daughter must not purchase anything from a store whose name is on any article of clothing that Mom owns. In other words: mom has one = not cool.

The only exception here is if mom splurges on a trendy high-priced item, in which case it will likely be permanently absorbed into the daughter’s wardrobe.

Slowly, other rules have come back to me. There must be at least two feet of space between us at all times. (If no one knows we’re together, that’s even better.)

If I spot the item, there is no way it is cool, or cute, or in any way desirable. (This is closely related to rule number one but is sometimes circumvented if I nonchalantly placed an item in an obvious place while my daughter isn’t looking. She owns a fabulous little black dress thanks to that tactic.)

Another rule: fashion is all that matters. Price and practicality are completely inconsequential. When I ask where she’ll wear something, I may as well be speaking Chinese.

I’ve managed to learn and follow the rules, and we do pretty well, though we have had our share of mis-buys. I don’t know what I was thinking when I purchased her track-season sweats. I do know what she was thinking: fashion. Hot pink, slim-fitting fashion. Neither one of us was thinking school colors (blue and red), or 40° and rain. That

is, until a dreary Saturday meet, when, through chattering blue lips, she admitted, “I think I need some warm sweats.”

“How hard can this be?” my husband chided me, completely unaware of the numerous times I had made a valiant parental stand for value and practicality. “I’ll take her,” he said with that it-takes-a-man-to-getthis-done tone.

I just smiled at his naïve confidence–and kept my predictions of certain failure to myself–when he said they were heading to WalMart.

I nearly laughed out loud imagining the fashion debate in the aisle between intimates and electronics.

I tried to fill him in on the rules, but he just brushed it off. “We’ll be back in an hour,” he assured me.

Secretly, I hoped he would experience what I’d endured. I wanted him to feel my pain. He’d have more empathy, give me a bigger budget.

But it was nothing like I’d thought.

They came home laughing! I think someone even said, “good time.”

The relief that I could check “buy decent sweats” off my list was completely overshadowed by the knock-out blow to my confidence.

What in the world had I been doing wrong? I felt really inadequate.

Could a man actually make the female teenage shopping experience a pleasure?

I was too proud to ask them straight-out. It took several days of nonchalant covert investigation to piece it all together. “I started to reach toward the pink sweats,” she told me, “but Dad shouted, ‘NO!’” He handed me the black and gray ones, and I put them in the cart.”

“That’s all?” I asked. “Well, then I went and tried on every shoe in the store, even the ugly ones, just to see what they looked like on my feet.”

“Really?” I was trying not to act completely shocked. “What did Dad have to say?” “Oh, nothing. He was looking at guns and ammo.”

Of course he was. This didn’t count as shopping. Anyone could have thrown a pair of generic gray, size-small sweatpants into a shopping cart.

But I do give him partial credit. He was obeying the two-foot rule.

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What To Do

HOME GARDENING MINIATURE GARDENS

by Michelle Rauch, Gardening Enthusiast

If the idea of gardening is appealing to you, but visions of lugging bags of soil around, getting dirty, and spending hours in the yard in the hot summer sun have kept you at bay…then miniature gardening may be just what you’re looking for. Miniature Gardens, sometimes called fairy gardens, can have all the allure of full-scale gardening on a much, much smaller scale. No mess, or at least it’s minimal, no fuss, no heavy lifting required.

Find a spot to showcase in your yard, or start with a container. The container must hold soil and allow for good drainage. Take the minimalist approach and use a simple four sided shallow box.

Or get creative. The hunt for the perfect container that adds a new design element can be a lot of fun.

Some ideas: a tattered old suitcase, wheel barrow, whiskey barrel, bird bath, or an unusual flea market find! Picture your container as the canvas for your creation.

Kate Milward enjoys her Fairy Garden

gadget. There are themes to choose from too. Whimsical fairies, relaxing Japanese Zen, rugged railroad, tropical paradise or beach getaway complete with colorful Adirondack chairs.

Allison Nessler is the garden shop manager at King’s Gardens and a miniature gardener. “I saw the potential for how big it got. I took off with it and now a fourth of our sales are miniature gardening.”

It’s attracting moms, grandparents, and kids. “It really gets kids interested in gardening because it is such a miniature doll house experience. They are playing and they get creative too,” Nessler says.

Fairy Letter

Eight year old Kate Milward was surprised this Spring to find the Easter Bunny left her a Fairy Garden underneath the Japanese Maple in her backyard. “I thought it was awesome!” Kate says. She and her mom are having a great time adding to it. Kate is developing a real eye for shopping. “It’s just fun how we can go out and get stuff and randomly put them in places,” she says.

There is another element to fairy gardening that Kate’s mom, Lee, loves. It’s the letter writing.

Shopping for your ”Kate will tell the miniature garden is fairies about her just like shopping for a Allison Nessler has created many miniature gardens on display at King’s Gardens wishes, her dreams, backyard garden. Your her worries. She puts local garden shop will have what you need. Annuals, perennials, all that in a letter to the fairies,” Lee says. Kate leaves the letters in succulents, and more. Also look for a variety of slow growing plants the garden before bed and in a day or two the fairies write her back. called dwarf or miniatures. Many dwarf plants can offer twelve Her mom believes sometimes it’s easier for Kate to open up about months of color inside or out. They can also last years with minimal her feelings to the fairies in her letters than it is to talk with mom care. You’ll also find tiny evergreens that can be pruned. Herbs are and dad! also great for the mini/fairy garden.

It’s been such a hit at the Milward home and among their friends Gardening goes beyond the plants, flowers, and landscaping. From who visit that they are adding one to the family business. Visitors to garden furniture to what I affectionately call yard art, these additions Milward at Man ‘O War funeral home will soon find a fairy garden add character. There are so many mini accessories, from furniture to there. “It’s something that will be very unexpected, but it’s honest, tools of the trade. You can find tiny replicas of just about any garden sincere, 100% happy,” Lee Milward says.

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NEW BUSINESSES

What’s New

C

onveniently located on Euclid Avenue, Ideal Skin offers professional skin care solutions in a serene, spa-like environment. In addition to their breakthrough skin care formulas which allow no-downtime treatments, Ideal Skin also offers professional waxing and depilatory services.

Ideal Skin offers a wide variety of skin care options. Their treatments can protect, support and restore skin with advanced cosmeceuticals from PCA skin care. PCA features clinicallyresearched and scientifically-formulated products, and they are a pioneer in the field. Their products allow Ideal Skin to offer treatments to address every skin concern from fine lines to acne or psoriasis.

European wax, designed to provide optimal results with virtually no irritation.

Ideal Skin’s philosophy is to be progressive, not aggressive, when it comes to treating the skin. Overly aggressive treatments often lead to inflammation, which is the key underlying cause of many of the problems they try to correct. Instead, Ideal Skin uses lowdose approaches and infuse with skin with beneficial, nourishing and strenghthening ingredients during treatments. Join the team at Ideal Skin during their open house Thursday, September 29th!

Ideal Skin offers waxing services, as well. They use Cirepil, which is a moisturizing, plant-based, low-temperature depilatory

Ideal Skin 719 Euclid Ave. 859.269.6381 www.idealskinlex.com

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cute boutique with flair--the newest addition to Victorian Square features fabulous fashions that are sure to impress for whatever the occasion. From accessories to clothes, Runway Couture dishes up the latest trends and classic style.

Runway Couture has a little something for everyone.

Clothing for both men and women, handbags, jewelry and accessories are all available. From Tarina Tarantino to Miss Me, Runway Couture offers up goods from many of today’s hottest designers.

The Victorian Square location is the third Runway Couture, with one in Huntington, WV and one in Charleston, WV. The Lexington location easily blends Central Kentucky trends with the high style Runway Couture is already known for.

The convenient location is near to some of Lexington’s hottest attractions and dining, making Runway Couture an ideal shopping destination on Broadway.

For the best of today’s fashion scene, Runway Couture serves up runway style in a fun, energetic boutique setting. With great men’s and women’s clothing, accessories and goods, Runway Couture can make everyone feel haute.

Runway Couture 113 N Broadway 859.258.2220

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Mother and daughter team Janet Schwartz and Sarah Schwartz Woodworth are the owners of the Lexington branch of Monkee’s. All together, there are 21 Monkee’s locations in the United States. As a franchised women’s clothing store, this allows customers access to inventory from all Monkee’s locations.

Monkee’s offers shoes from a number of designers, including Diane von Furstenburg, Kate Spade, Frye, Michael Kors, Cole Haan and many more. Their accessories include Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry, Tolani scarves, Burberry sunglasses and Foley & Corrina handbags, just to name a few. They also carry handpainted shoes by Rasta, as worn by WLEX’s Nicole Pence at the 2011 Derby.

Monkee’s of Lexington holds parties for charitable fundraisers, birthday parties, bachelorette parties and other fun gettogethers. They provide invitations, cocktails, hors d’ouevres and all guests receive a special gift or discount.

Monkee’s of Lexington offers women (and men looking to spoil the women in their lives) an incredible, high-end selection of clothing, accessories and shoes.

NEW BUSINESSES

L

ook who’s moving onto Clay Avenue! Monkee’s of Lexington prides itself in being the ultimate in ladies’ shoes, clothing and accessories, with high-end pieces from the most stylish lines and designers in fashion.

Monkee’s of Lexington 116 Clay Ave. 859.253.0427 www.monkeesoflexington.com

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or people who are interested in horses, Wingswept Farm offers a unique, up-close experience that anyone can enjoy.

With lessons, training and other services available, Wingswept Farm provides Central Kentuckians with the opportunity to interact with horses in a controlled, comfortable environment.

Wingswept offers horseback riding lessons for people as young as three years old. Their lessons allow guests to become familiar with equines and gradually gain skill and confidence in handling horses. With an indoor arena, Wingswept Farm is able to teach horseback riding lessons year-round.

winning show horse rider. She has worked with riders of all skill levels, allowing her unique expertise in helping guests become more comfortable on and around horses.

For anyone interested in being around horses or taking riding lessons, Wingswept Farm offers a uniquely hands-on, close-up experience that allows people of all experience levels to learn more about equines. Wingswept’s training services help American Saddlebred show horses become more polished, skilled and ready to compete on the national level.

Wingswept Farm also offers training for American Saddlebred show horses. Their horses compete at a national level during the season. Wingswept owner Stephanie Sedlacko has extensive experience in teaching and training and is a national award-

Wingswept Farm 707 Almahurst Ln. Nicholasville, KY 859.887.0955 Look for Wingswept Farm on Facebook

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What’s New

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elle Vie Medspa is pleased to announce that board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Kurtis Martin, joined their team in August! Dr. Martin, who was voted Cincinnati’s Best Plastic Surgeon in 2010, is accepting consultations by appointment here in Lexington.

The staff at Belle Vie is extensively trained in all the procedures they offer to ensure high-quality results. They each put client safety, satisfaction and comfort at the center of all they do.

Their service is personal and discrete, allowing them to retain a loyal clientele.

Belle Vie Medspa provides a wide array of services. They offer Light Sheer Duet Laser Hair Removal, IPL Skin Rejuvenation and Fraxel Laser treatments in addition to medical aesthetic services, including Vibradermabrasion, Facials, Peels and Extractions. Their spa services include massage, waxing and makeup application. They are preferred retailers for Obagi, SkinCeuticals, VitaMedica, Clarisonic, Latisse, Elta MD, Avene skincare, glo Minerals and Jane Iredale cosmetics.

For men and women seeking to reverse the hands of time, as well as teens looking to protect and maintain their skin as they age, Belle Vie Medspa offers a relaxing, beautiful environment and real results.

Belle Vie Medspa 2337 Sir Barton Way Ste 130 859.245.7546 www.belleviemedspa.com

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Who’s Who

TOP People to Know Brooks Swentzel

Regina Forster, MD

Doug Smith

President

Co-Owner

Floral Designer

As the son of one of the founding partners of S&S Tire, Brooks Swentzel is passionate about his role in the company. He began working in the warehouse as a teenager and has worked his way up the ranks, holding positions in sales and operations before assuming the president’s position after his father’s retirement in 2009.

Brooks’ goal as president is to continue to provide the best service at the best value to each customer. Visit one of the 13 locally owned and operated S&S Tire and Auto Service Centers today.

sstire.com

Regina Forster, M.D. is Co-Owner of Gateways to Integral Health. Dr. Forster offers Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Functional Medicine and Medical Weight Loss. She practices a safe, effective and reliable medical model to proactively protect clients’ health as they age. She is continually expanding her expertise to stay on top of this rapidly evolving field, which involves continuous training with internationally recognized teachers. Her passion is optimal health!

Doug Smith is an independant floral designer who specializes in weddings and events. Smith grew up wanting to have a career where he could say, “I can’t believe I get paid to do this!” He has found this in creating unique, never-before-seen floral designs. Smith works closely with clients in Lexington and Central Kentucky, and is happy to travel to Louisville and into Eastern Kentucky. Smith’s most recent projects can be seen on the Doug Smith Designs Facebook page

351.1310 info@gatewaystointegralhealth.com

494.2209 doug@dougsmithdesigns.com

Richard A. Finnell

Kurtis W. Martin, MD

Lena Edwards

Stylist

Plastic Surgeon

MD, FAARM

Richard Allen Finnell is an expert stylist with 23 years experience in the Lexington area. After owning Richard Allen Salon for 12 years Richard was a stylist at Alure Salon in Beaumont before finding his current home at Stylin’ on Regency. An expert stylist, Richard uses precision cuts and expert coloring techniques to create trendy styles that will make heads turn. Whether a new or returning client Richard Finnell will be devoted to creating a current and modern look suited to any style.

948.4800 richardallen6940@yahoo.com

Balance Health & Wellness Center Kurtis W. Martin, MD, a board certified plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic surgery of the face and body, has recently opened a new office in Lexington at the Belle Vie MedSpa. Dr. Martin was named “the Best Plastic Surgeon in Cincinnati for 2011” and has over 20 years of expertise in aesthetic surgery. Dr. Martin may be contacted by phone, or visit his website for more information about appointments and services.

Dr. Lena Edwards is an internist who is Board Certified and Fellowship trained in Anti-Aging/Integrative Medicine and Integrative Cancer Therapy. In addition to owning her practice, Balance Health & Wellness Center, she is an active teacher, national speaker, and writer on numerous topics on health and wellness. She serves as a community faculty member for UKMC and recently released her first book, “Adrenalogic: Outsmarting Stress”.

888.616.9061 cincinnatiplasticsurgery.com

224.3026 balancehealthandwellness.com

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Top Events

Ike, Adopted at Freedom Fest

Marilyn Sadler

Guest Speakers Mark Badgley & James Mischka

Etta Ruth Kepp & Suzanne Grable

Amy Thomas & Jennifer Schack

Elisa Devera

Jon Carloftis

John Range & Susan Adams

Woodford Humane Society’s Bone Appétit The 12th Annual Freedom Fest Celebration presented by George and Lori Hall was hosted by Annestes Farms.

Guests enjoyed a breakfast and a special presentation and fashion show with famed fashion designers Mark Badgley & James Mischka. The Bone Appétit Luncheon hosted over twenty local restaurants, caterers and specialty food vendors that guests enjoyed. woodfordhumanesociety.org Photos by Myers

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Top Events

Michelle Ashcraft, Shelly Duncklee & Teresa Cole

Kathy & Darrell Gosnel

Chris Stone & Catherine Docherty

Connie Goodman

Hunter Lisle & Elesha Burkhart

Megan & Cathy Morris

Quay Harrison & Ardena Gojani

Dan Featherston & Lora Jane

Melissa Brown & Steven King

Arthur Murray Thoroughbred Classic Arthur Murray Dance Studio hosted its 9th Annual Showcase “Thoroughbred Classic” at Embassy Suites, showcasing their students professionals and all dance enthusiasts. With over 700 entries, Arthur Murray’s Showcase is one of the largest dance events in the state of Kentucky! lexingtonarthurmurray.com Photos by Alex Orlov

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Top Events

Buffy Lawson

Tiffany Hensley, Tamara Henry & Dr. Bart McFarland

Teresa Howard (Middle) & Family

Dr. Glen Simons & Dr. Bart McFarland

Dr. Angela Brown & Ragean Paige

Susie Livingood & Kayla Ballinge

Sara Plummer, Steve Walton, Nic & Barclay de Wet

TOPS Elite Makeover Reveal Party TOPS joined forces with Dr. Bart McFarland and an elite team of professionals in an effort to change the life of one very special person from the inside out. This is not a make-over of vanity, rather than a chance for one very special person to have a second chance at their own lives. The 2011 winnner was Teresa Howard and the Smiles Makeover winner was Susan Livingood. topselitemakeover.com Photos by Alex Orlov

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Mac Zachem

Stacy Robertson

Tiffany Whalen

Elisabeth Jensen and Fabricio Buffolo

Heather Tierney and Winfrey Host

Drew Johnson

Whitney Glass and Josh Weinel

Flashin’ Smiles and Covers

Penny Bass and Melanie Miller

TOPS Sneak Preview Party To celebrate the Summer 2011 issue of TOPS Magazine, guests and friends gathered at Homewood Suites for a luau-themed evening. Guests sampled treats from various restaurants and bakeries in Central Kentucky while mingling with the the bachelors and bachelorettes of the Horsemen of all Ages Auction and browsing the issue before it hit shelves. topsinlex.com Photos by Alex Orlov

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Central Bank Thursday Night Live Head downtown every Thursday evening through October 27, 2011 for Central Bank Thursday Night Live!

Located at Fifth Third Pavilion at Cheapside Park, attendees enjoy beverages, food from local restaurants and of course, great music by a variety of live bands! downtownlex.com Photos by Myers

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Top Events

Tim & Carla Guthrie and Pam & Austin Mehr

Cathy & Kav Milward

Patty & David Breeze

Jennifer Hendren, Leeanna Webb, Lori Ann Taylor and Stephanie Diaj

Josh Curtis and Windy Lane

Nancy Polk

Harry & Caroline Richart

Kristen Pflum

A Night for The Nest A Night for the Nest took place at the picturesque “U-Barn� at Normandy Farm. A great time was had by all who attended and the silent auction was one of the best this season. A Night for the Nest celebrated the accomplishments of the past year and exciting new things happening. On July 1st, The Nest announced the appointment of Allen Clay McDaniel as the new Executive Director and also welcomed several new board members. thenestlexington.com Photos by Alex Orlov

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Artie Ford, Melissa Buckley and Matt White

Bruce & Kitty Walters

Karyl Ferman and Jack Hillard

Laura Hayden and Buddy Bryant

Jennifer Nime Palumbo

Kate Hansen and Megan Noward

Kelly Anne Biele and Jacky Space

Light the Night Kickoff Party Light the Night is an evening, benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, to remember loved ones lost, celebrate survivorship and raise funds for blood cancer research. Participants receive illuminated balloons (White for survivors, Red for participants and Gold for loved ones lost). The walk takes place October 8th at the Courthouse Plaza and entertainment and activities begin at 5:30PM, walk at 7:30PM. lightthenight.org Photos by Alex Orlov

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What To Do

DISCOVERING HOW FOREVER FEELS

by Don McNay One Lucky Guy My friend, Dave Lieber, proposed to his wife in via a column in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. It became the title of his successful book, The Woman of My Dreams but the Dog of My Nightmares.

stunned her. It was that with my age and body type, I was able to get down on one knee. She was even more surprised that I was able to get back up.

I thought about borrowing Lieber’s strategy since Karen Thomas, the woman of my dreams, (who owns the dog of my nightmares), lives in Winchester, Kentucky, and the Winchester Sun carries my column.

Karen and I come from very different backgrounds. Her father is a successful dairy farmer in Cecilia, Kentucky, (close to Elizabethtown) and her mother is a retired school teacher. Her parents and siblings have college degrees and beyond. My father was a professional gambler in Northern Kentucky. Until this May, I was the only McNay to graduate from college and the first to graduate from high school.

I decided that I didn’t want to plagiarize Dave. I developed my own proposal plan.

Proving that, like Toby Keith, I may not be as good as I once was but I’m as good once as I ever was.

Karen is media-shy. She would never brag on herself. I operate in a totally public spectrum. I tell the world about my finances, my weight, my family and what I think about the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. It would never occur to her to write a public statement about our I’ve been around the block a time or two engagement. It would never occur to me not to.

Done almost everything a boy can do

I made a reservation for Jeff Ruby’s restaurant in Louisville. Jeff was a dear friend of my father and a pallbearer in Dad’s funeral. He is now one of the most successful restaurant owners in the region. I knew that Jeff would provide the perfect dining experience for a proposal.

Karen agreed to marry me, but we had a couple of bumps along the way. On the online reservation form, I had checked “Anniversary” because I wanted a private booth. I didn’t want to make my pitch in front of someone leering from the next table.

I’ve done some living, yeah I’ve had fun But there is one thing that I haven’t done I want to know how forever feels -Kenny Chesney

Got the private booth. But the hostess, the waiter and the staff at the entrance kindly greeted us with their cheerful wishes of “HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!”

When Karen asked what anniversary they were talking about, I told her, “The first one.” Then I tried to give her my pitch, which I had written out in my semi-legible handwriting. After three or four attempts to read it, she finally grabbed her reading glasses, figured out what I was fumbling around about, and, blessedly said, “Yes.” I felt like I’d won the lottery. And I was handling it a lot better than Powerball Jack Whitaker or some of the other “Lottery Losers” I sometimes write about.

She later got up to use the ladies room. On her way back to the table, she slipped and fell and broke her thumb. So much for “walking on air.”

We made it through dinner but spent the rest of the evening tracking down an Urgent Care center, getting X-rays and a cast. She had surgery later that week. I knew she really had to be hurting because normally she shakes off pain better than Sylvester Stallone in the early Rocky movies.

Karen grew up on a dairy farm. Cows have to milked and fed, 365 days a year. Nobody got a day off, sickness, illness or otherwise. She is now the principal of a large Catholic school in Lexington where she doesn’t want to hear about aches and pains. Unless she is infected with bubonic plague, Karen is going to make it to the classroom.

She will have her ring to remember our special moment. And she will also have her thumb. I’m sure it will seem funny someday, maybe after the swelling and bruising die down. We found a ring she liked and I purchased it. I stunned her by getting down on one knee, presenting the ring, and again asked her to marry me. It wasn’t the question that

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We are both very independent and have been single for several years.

During that time she raised three wonderful children. An accountant by training, she made a career move into education. For a couple of years, she made the 200 mile round trip from Winchester to Cincinnati, two or three days a week, to get her Montessori certification and Master’s in Education from Xavier University. She then taught at a private school. Along the way she got her Rank One and Principal’s Certification from the University of Kentucky.

She writes for well-known education publications, speaks at national education conferences, and for the past seven years has been Principal at Christ the King Elementary School in Lexington.

She didn’t need me “to complete her.” Her life was complete without me.

I stay happy and busy. But, as Kenny Chesney noted, the idea of knowing “How forever feels” has an overwhelming appeal.

I look at my most successful friends and at my daughter and son-inlaw. They are in stable and happy relationships.

Most of my friends have been married for a long time – or, at least got the right partner on the second try. Their marriages are partnerships built on love, sharing and trust.

When you start thinking about merging families, households, incomes, and what to do with the pets, (her dog hates my guts; her cat worships me as an ally against the dog), it can seem simpler to stay single.

Then I look at how she adores me–which is truly a reflection of how I adore her. So it all goes back to the Tina Turner question, “What’s love got to do it with?” In this case, everything.

I am going to find out how forever feels. So far, it feels really, really good.

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What To Do

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY VIVID COLORS OF AUTUMN MAKE IMAGES POP

by David Blair Photographer

The bright vivid colors of autumn can truly make images pop, making fall weddings exciting to shoot. After moving to Kentucky, the fall quickly became my favorite time of the year and as a professional photographer it is personally one of the most exciting and busiest times as well. It seems that everyone wants to get out into the autumn air and enjoy the beauty of the season. With the trees looking like they are ablaze, it is the perfect time to take photos.

Quite understandably, a large majority of my clients schedule their wedding, engagement session or family portrait for when the leaves are changing.

Of course, the red, yellow and orange leaves make an incredible background for photos, but that is just the beginning. There is also so much room for creativity when it comes fall and changes the feel of wedding photos dramatically. A large yard filled with fallen leaves can serve as an interesting foreground or you can use the leaves as a prop of sorts by having your subjects throw them in the air or holding them up towards the camera. This can make the photo multidimensional.Capturing people being playful really suits the season well and is a great opportunity to show the true connection of the bride and groom. It is great when I can photograph a couple having a piggyback ride or climbing a tree. I love taking photos of children while going apple picking or to a pumpkin patch.

The sheer excitement in their eyes is irresistible and the fresh produce really highlights the season. You can also spice up your photos by adding some seasonal food to the images.

Almost everyone wants to smile when you see an

image of someone you love eating a big piece of sweet apple pie.

Occasionally I will just take clients and drive off into the countryside until we find a view of bountiful rolling hillsides ready for harvest.

People look the most comfortable in authentic moments, so just letting people sit on the end of the dock with their feet in the water or having a couple take a walk through a park can be an excellent opportunity to create some spectacular images.

I’ve also found that there is something almost magical about a couple, comfortably reclining in a pile of leaves. The emotion and expressions on their faces just happen organically. There are even more options if you get creative with your perspective. I love climbing a tree to get a vantage point from above or placing my camera down in the midst of the leaves. Every now and then I choose to have the attention drawn to the colorful leaves or produce while leaving my subjects out of focus. Using black-and-white or sepia toned images can also draw attention to the textures of your surroundings.

If you are taking the photos yourself, you might consider investing in a polarizing filter for your camera or a postproduction program like Photoshop to make the colors even more vivid. The best time of day to be out taking photos is the first or last hour of light, but do not feel limited to only these times. There is a plethora opportunity to get great autumn images when the leaves are just right, but sadly once they’re gone it will be another long year. So don’t miss your opportunity to get some stunning photos this Fall. Schedule an appointment with a photographer soon or get out and do-it-yourself, but whatever you do enjoy the season.

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May 14, 2011

Alison & Daniel Wrenne

WOW Wedding

Who’s Who

A

lison and Daniel first met in the summer of 2003 through a mutual friend. Daniel had graduated from Woodford County High School then returned to Lexington after graduation from the University of Florida to work for Northwestern Mutual. Alison had grown up in Lexington and attended Transylvania University. They ran into each other again in the fall of 2007 and went on a casual first date to Graeter’s Ice Cream. They’ve been together ever since.

While Alison was at Keeneland with friends one day, Daniel snuck over to her parents’ house to ask permission to propose. He wanted it to be a surprise, so on a Thursday night, Daniel stopped by Alison’s house. Since Thursday was their typical date night and Alison was still in her gym clothes, she suggested they head out to a very casual dinner, but Daniel insisted she gussy up. She was glad she did when he pulled out the ring he’d picked out for her, which had come in just hours before the big moment! They headed out to Jean Farris Winery for a celebratory dinner together.

The day before the wedding, Alison enjoyed a bridesmaid luncheon at Spindletop Hall, followed by the rehearsal dinner that evening at the Hilary J. Boone Center. The groom, his family and his friends played golf on the Friday before the nuptials.

Alison and Daniel chose to be married at Centenary United Methodist Church on Tates Creek Road.

by Amanda Harper

Alison has been a member there since childhood and it’s the church she and Daniel attend together.

Alison and Daniel wanted to keep the ceremony very traditional, but very personal. The groom’s sisters sang “Ave Maria” at the start of the service.

The groom’s childhood friend sang two songs in the service, “The Lord’s Prayer” and “I Will Be Here” by Steven Curtis Chapman (one of the groom’s favorite songs.) It was very special to the couple to be married by their pastor and good family friend, Rev. Tom Grieb.

Alison wore an ivory alencon lace gown with a scalloped V-neckline and cap sleeves, which featured a tiered pleated tulle sweep train. The bride wore her mother’s blue garter, as well as a lace-trimmed veil and hair comb. The 8 bridesmaids wore bright pink Jim Hjelm dresses from Bella Rose with Sorrelli earrings given to them by the bride (also from Bella Rose.)

The dresses featured dramatic pleated necklines.

As guests entered the Idle Hour Country Club reception, they were greeted by passed appetizers, including chicken salad in phyllo and caprese skewers. The dinner featured a buffet line with sushi, crab cakes, cheddar chive biscuits with country ham, hot browns, and stuffed chicken, as well was a beef tenderloin station and a mashed potato bar with toppings, all foods that the couple love.

Photography by Karen Powell

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Flowers were a huge part of the reception decor, with bold, vibrant blooms commanding attention. Many of the arrangements were made specifically to fit certain spaces, such as a wreath tucked into a window pane, a huge spray to fill a mantle and petite arrangements on each table, placed in silver cups. Peonies, lilies, roses and an assortment of eye-catching greenery made each arrangement a pop of visual appeal.

of icing and carefully-constructed flowers. The groom’s cake was chocolate champagne with basketweave frosting, decorated with strawberries.

Alison loves the look of all white traditional wedding cakes with sugar flowers, so Tinker’s Cake Shop created one for the couple.

It was vanilla bean flavored and intricately detailed with “ribbons”

At midnight, the bride and groom dashed to their limo, showered in rose petals. Family and friends cheered and bid the couple farewell under the stars.

The couple was pleased to see the dance floor packed all night long.

They chose Nashville group Familiar Faces, who played Motown tunes all evening that kept the guests feeling energized and festive.

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Who’s Who

Details: Flowers: Patrick Howard Photography: Karen Powell Bridal Attice: Gown by Lazaro, wedding veil and comb by Paris Cake: Tinkers Band: Familiar Faces Videographer: Andy Davenport Bridesmaid Attire: Bella Rose Wedding Planner: Sarah Leer Venue: Centenary United Methodist Church Reception: Idle Hour Country Club

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Who’s Who

Elizabeth (Boggs) & David James Hays, II May 21, 2011 Meishach Moore Photography Deanna Dawn (Robinson) & Thomas Spencer McCallie, III May 28, 2011 Photo by Suzannah Millner & Abigail Thompson

Wedding Announcements

Tracy (Nearhoof) & TJ Taylor May 2, 2011 Photography by Robert McClory

Anna (Altmaier) & Brett Morris, July 9, 2011 Shaun Ring Photography Want to see your wedding photo published in TOPS? Email kristen@topsmarketing.com for more information.

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101st Airborne Drops in On Thursday Night Live

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer & Lexington Mayor Jim Gray

A Beautiful Rivalry

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You should’ve seen the look on Pitino’s face!

Kate Campbell, Congressman Larry Hopkins & Shea Hopkins