VIE - People + Places / September October 2012

NORTHWEST FLORIDA – COLA 2 COLA® September/October 2012

The hOMe & GARDeN issue

Live a More BeautifuL Life

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In this issue:

72 30

20

67 People + Places The Inaugural Alys Shoppe Style Soiree 144 For the Love of Food From Rock ‘n’ Roller to Foodie 90 Café Thirty-A Offers Fine Dining and Casual Elegance 94 Freshness Napa-Style: Restaurant Fire at Gulf Place 98 Giving Chi Chi Miguel Throws Down for Charity 131 Investing in Life: The Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation 159 Perspectives Investing in a Rising Tax Environment 88 The Art of Life Dreaming in Color: Justin Gaffrey Brings 30-A to Life 67 Perceptions: Beneath the Surface – Justin Lyons 73 A Work in Progress: Teresa Cline 82

98

106

44 Les Maisons d’Être 58 Backyard Makeover 137 Home Design Trends to Watch 167 Voyager A Dream Getaway to Mexico 148 Southern College Football Special Holy Day in the Deep South 106 Florida v. Florida State 110 Auburn v. Alabama 112 Georgia v. Georgia Tech 114 Clemson v. South Carolina 116 Ole Miss v. Mississippi State 118 Food and Football: Tailgating around the South 123 VIE’s Favorite Things 156

Home and Garden Featured Home: A New Urbanism Visionary’s Elegant Abode 20 Home Projects: Creating Your Perfect Backdrop 30 A BOHEME: Cost, Time, Quality 39 Furniture Fervor: Christopher Guy 44 Clay in the Potter’s Hand 52 vie zine.com | 9

COLA COLA

®

Primary Targeted Audiences

W

e are thrilled you have picked up a copy of VIE and hope you enjoy reading about the people and places of our coveted region,

COLA 2 COLA®—Pensacola to Apalachicola. We live in a great place where life is

good! We have a passion for our area and the people and businesses found here, and we hope that you will share in our excitement.

VIE can be found locally at Tourist Development Council centers, Chamber of

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Commerce locations, Sundog Books in Seaside, Florida, boutiques, restaurants,

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added to the shelves of some of the country’s top-selling bookstores, newsstands,

bed-and-breakfasts, and special events.

We are excited to announce that VIE‘s distribution has recently branched out to the following airports: Baltimore/Washington International, Houston Hobby, Memphis International, Nashville International, Orlando International, and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International. In addition to these high-profile locations, VIE is also being and supermarkets, giving our advertisers potential access to millions of people.

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VIE is a registered trademark. All contents herein are Copyright © 2008–2012 Cornerstone Marketing and Advertising, Incorporated (The Publisher). All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from The Publisher. VIE is a lifestyle magazine and is published at least five times annually on a bimonthly schedule. The opinions herein are not necessarily those of The Publisher. The Publisher and its advertisers will not be held responsible for any errors found in this publication. The Publisher is not liable for the accuracy of statements made by its advertisers. Ads that appear in this publication are not intended as offers where prohibited by state law. The Publisher is not responsible for photography or artwork submitted by freelance or outside contributors. The Publisher reserves the right to publish any letter addressed to the editor or The Publisher. VIE is a paid publication. Subscription rates: Digital magazine (iPad only) – One-year $11.99; Two-year $17.99 / Printed magazine – One-year $23.95; Two-year $34.95 (U.S. Only – price includes free access to digital magazine versions for iPad). Subscriptions can be purchased online at www.VIEZINE.com.

On the Cover:

VIE Creative Team:

With an outlook on life as original as his artistic technique, Justin Gaffrey is reshaping the beauty he sees in the world around him one painting at a time. The Scenic Highway 30-A artist has been painting “sculptures” on canvas since 2001, becoming more passionate about his work as each day passes. Now the artist creates more than five hundred paintings a year, interpreting the world around him in awe-inspiring ways.

For this reason, VIE sought out Justin’s talent to create an original piece to use as the cover of our second annual Home and Garden issue. Shot by Romona Robbins, Hydrangeas exemplifies the elegance and originality so important in making a more beautiful life and inspiring those who are a part of it—the goal of the 2012 Home and Garden issue. VIE’s exclusive story on Justin Gaffrey can be found on page 67.

A special thanks to Justin Gaffrey for his work, and to Christy Milliken of the Justin Gaffrey Studio for her assistance. More of Justin’s work can be seen at JustinGaffrey.com

Published by:

Lisa Burwell Publisher lisa@viezine.com

Gerald Burwell Editor-in-Chief gerald@viezine.com

Bob Brown VP of Creative Services bob@viezine.com

Jordan Staggs Public Relations Assistant jordan@viezine.com

Tracey Thomas Graphic Designer tracey@viezine.com

Mary Jane Kirby Account Executive maryjane@viezine.com

Troy Ruprecht Graphic Designer troy@viezine.com

James Ryan Account Executive jim@viezine.com

Bill Weckel Web/Project Manager bill@viezine.com

Scott Sajowitz Account Executive scott@viezine.com

Benjamin Rosenau Video Producer ben@viezine.com

Margaret Stevenson Copy Editor

Tim Dutrow Videographer tim@viezine.com Ainsley Rogers Public Relations Director ainsley@viezine.com

Shannon Quinlan Distribution Coordinator Emmett S. Hightower Intern Meghan Ryan Intern

VIE Contributors: Contributing Writers: Suzy Accola Sallie W. Boyles Wendy O. Dixon Lauren Justiss Darby Kellum Scott McKinney Kay Phelan Tori Phelps

Jessica Proffitt Adam Ruff Darrell Russell Sandra Woodward

Contributing Photographers:

(850) 231-3087

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Contact us at info@theideaboutique.com

Aflo/Corbis Jean Allsopp Andrew Alwert Susan Benton David Burnett Marla Carter Molly Carter Teresa Cline Erica George Dines Jack Gardner Michael Granberry

Chris Hornaday Devon Lott Kevin Lynch Eric Marcus Kerri Price Romona Robbins Leslie Siller Melissa J. Thurber Todd Van Emst Eric Zamora

vie zine.com | 11

StorieS with heart & Soul

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Publisher’s Note:

May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day. May songbirds serenade you every step along the way. May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that’s always blue. And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.

—Old Irish Blessing

The Trendsetters and the Quest for Beauty It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but, alas, for years, a select handful have been defining what is beautiful and fashionable as they gently (or not so gently) nudge mass opinion along to their way of thinking: architects, artists, fashion designers, writers—these are all trendsetters. What would the world be like without the creativity of these few who have something new to design, paint, wear, or say?

Beautifying your life can seem like an insatiable quest for the Holy Grail, but it can be an enjoyable journey, too. Committing to a daily routine for balance and a sense of well-being is not a new idea. Feng shui (wind-water), a practice based on the Taoist understanding of nature and the balance and energy of a given space, has been around for three thousand years. In my own quest for a more beautiful life, I’ve found that little things can mean a lot—a new paint color for a favorite room, a new garden area in the backyard, fresh flowers for the dinner table, taking time to marvel at a sunset, or just offering kind words to a neighbor. Anything and everything can make a big difference in having a beautiful life. Philippians 4:8, one of my favorite scriptures, seems to exemplify this: “… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely … think about such things.”

Opinions of both outer and inner beauty have never been more center stage in the Western culture than they are today. Sharing these opinions is almost an art form.

Or would that be platform? Posting photos—of family and friends, a new dress, a

do-it-yourself project—is now part of life’s everyday flow of consciousness on social marketing platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and blogs. Of late, a new genre of posting quotes has emerged on all the web-based social platforms—quotes from authors, philosophers, the Bible, famous (or infamous) people, and everyone in between. They are usually uplifting and inspirational and communicate messages of hope and enlightenment. In all, that’s a lot of molding (and nudging) to define what is beautiful. A collective consciousness seems to organically take shape on these platforms, and to some degree, because of it, we’ve all become trendsetters as we influence those within our sphere.

So, when thinking about what we wanted to express in our second Home and Garden issue, we decided we simply wanted to delve deeper into the art of living.

Speaking of which, art is the oldest expression of beauty. In this issue, we feature the work of Justin Gaffrey, as he continues to evolve and explore new territory with his talent; Teresa Cline’s breathtaking new HORSE series, the proceeds of which benefit Alaqua Animal Refuge; and the quirky but powerfully thought-provoking art of Justin Lyons. Thus, in presenting this issue, I am confident that VIE is enriching the lives of our readers. To behold. To think. To be inspired.

To a beautiful life!

— Lisa vie zine.com | 15

Editor’s Note:

Ho m e-F ie l d A dvA ntAge

“Make yourself at home.” This saying is heard so many times throughout one’s life that it usually passes without a second thought. But when actual thought is given to it, there is a realization that there is nothing better than “feeling right at home.”

“Home is the place where it feels right to walk around without shoes.”

—Anonymous There are countless other sayings about the meaning of home. Many of them, like the one above, are statements of how the home is a sanctuary to do and act freely without regard to outside opinion. In a nutshell, home is where you can let it all hang out!

With fall upon us, it is an appropriate time to really let it all hang out and cheer for your favorite college football team as they battle it out on the gridiron.

As Scott McKinney points out in his enlightening introduction to our Southern college football rivalry feature, football in the South is taken very seriously—to the point that not much else can be scheduled on autumn Saturdays—maybe even to the point of OCD. Whether a die-hard fanatic or a fair-weather sports fan, you will enjoy highlights of some of the oldest and greatest college football rivalries in the South.

And no game day is complete without some tasty morsels from our collection of tailgating recipes, even if they are only to be enjoyed from the living room couch.

We hope you enjoy this issue, which includes beautiful homes and gardens, stories about talented artists and designers, and revelations of what life is truly like in the South during college football season.

Go Tigers!

Photo courtesy of Clemson University Libraries Special Collections

—Gerald (’89 Clemson University, B.S. Architectural Design; ’92 Clemson University, Master of Architecture)

Cover image of the football program from the historic first game between Clemson and University of South Carolina not held in Columbia and not held on Big Thursday — Nov. 12, 1960.

vie zine.com | 17

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A New UrbANism VisioNAry Looks bAck an

elegant

abode

As seaside, Florida, celebrates its thirtieth year, VIE takes a tour of one of the town’s first homes— that of founders robert and Daryl Davis.

vie zine.com | 21

by ainsley rogers Photography by romona robbins

Thirty years ago, Robert and Daryl Davis envisioned an all-American town like none before it. The vision was that of a main-street community where residents would live and work together. Where a walkable downtown would connect the local bookstore with restaurants and the charter school with ice cream shops. A community where the American flag stood at its epicenter next to a one-room post office with cherry red doors, and where the homes were close enough together that neighbors could chat with each other from their porches over morning coffee.

Hailed as the first New Urbanist community in this country, Seaside, Florida, spans more than eighty acres and is home to forty-one retail shops, numerous art galleries, a playhouse, and more than twelve eateries ranging from gourmet restaurants to hip Airstream trailer food vendors.

Modica Market, the quaint family-owned grocery where clerks are likely to greet customers on a firstname basis, offers everything from beach food to go to a Corona complete with a lime wedge while you shop. Or venture over to Perspicacity to shop in an open-air bazaar-style setting for beach necessities and unique finds. The narrow, brick-laid streets, named after such Southern towns as Tupelo and Savannah, are sprinkled with cyclists and leisurely walkers long past sundown. Charming signs placed on uniquely stylized picket fences announce quirky names to curious cottages: The Villa Whimsy, Absolute Bliss, and Just in Thyme, to name a few. It’s no wonder Hollywood chose Seaside as the setting of the 1998 blockbuster movie The Truman Show starring Jim Carrey—and not surprising, many local community members and shopkeepers appeared in the film because of their authentic, all-American appeal. It is, without a doubt, one of the most desired vacation destinations for families from across the nation who are looking to revisit a time when the simpler things in life prevailed.

A short stroll down Seaside’s main avenue will soon put one in front of the white picket fence of 115 Seaside Avenue, the original home of founders Robert and Daryl Davis. Built in 1987, it was the first house built on the street; there were no more than sixty homes in the Seaside community at the time, a far cry from the more than three hundred that now populate its quaint streets. The founding family lived in the home from 1988 to 2001 before building another house on Seaside’s Gulf-side of Highway 30A, where they now spend their time when in town. Located in the heart of the community, the Seaside Avenue home is ideal for encouraging the New Urbanist live-work-play theory on which Robert Davis based his vision for Seaside.

“Seaside is compact enough that everything you need on a daily basis is within an easy walk. So you can live on Seaside Avenue and walk to work, to shop, to play, to go to church, and so on,” says Daryl Davis. “Of course, the Avenue house is big enough that we could have home offices, and Micah [the Davises’ son] and his friends could play in the house when they weren’t outside exploring their world.

But a live-work community allows for occupants of smaller houses to use the plaza or the café as their living room, the community park as their playground, and offices above stores as their workplace.”

Though Robert was the original architect of the home, the inspiration was a house designed by famous British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Because of his appreciation for fine architecture and design, Robert has been known to invite the occasional architecture student or professor to study the Seaside Avenue home. Used now to house visiting artists, scholars, and VIPs (including Léon Krier and Dhiru Thadani), the Seaside Avenue home also plays host to lectures, charity dinners, and the annual Seaside Prize Dinner held each January. Its role as Seaside’s premier entertaining home is apparent in its design and layout. The home is beautiful in its unique architectural design, clean lines, and elegant, chic decor from Seaside’s Pizitz Home and Cottage (theseasidestyle.com/pizitz-home-cottage).

vie zine.com | 23

“we eNtertAiNeD eVeryoNe who cAme throUgh seAsiDe. we hAD thANksgiViNg FeAsts, birthDAy PArties, AND so mANy ceLebrAtioNs!” Upon approach to the three-story home, visitors are welcomed by a sweeping front porch—a perfect location to relax with a glass of lemonade during sunny Florida afternoons or with a favorite wine as dusk falls on the coastal community. The downstairs boasts intimate gathering areas, including two covered porches (one glassed and one screened) to enjoy the scenery and the summer breezes; both are decorated in soothing neutral tones and natural elements.

The combination kitchen and dining room is well suited for entertaining numerous people and is easily the Davises’ favorite space in the home. The large, open area offers ample opportunity for conversation to flow from the kitchen to the dining room or to the intimate lounge—complete with a freestanding fireplace—at the rear. “Here, we entertained everyone who came through Seaside. We had Thanksgiving feasts, birthday parties, and so many celebrations!” says Daryl. The kitchen, with its vintage-style black-and-white tiled countertops, is designed with the gourmet chef in mind, while the dining area boasts a large farmhouse-style dining table for eight centered in the two-story vaulted space, which is overlooked by the library on the second floor.

The upstairs is designed in the fashion of a split-level floor plan with the library as the centerpiece at the stair landing. Here, built-in bookshelves wrap around open loft-like space, interrupted only by a cozy reading nook nestled at the west-end overlook to the dining area below. At the eastern end, two spacious bedrooms can be accessed by climbing four steps, while a classic winding stair ascends to the third floor where incredible sunset views can be seen from the rooftop balcony.

Today, Seaside looks very much as the Davises had originally envisioned it, though “many of its houses are bigger and more beautiful than the simple cracker cottages of our early sketches,” Daryl says. But the town has maintained its quintessential hometown feel throughout three decades, and the house at 115 Seaside Avenue still stands tall to extend hospitality to many who travel to the coastal community.

For a closer look into the Davises’ beautiful Seaside home, see the video tour at viezine.com/VIEtv.

vie zine.com | 25

heLP seAsiDe ceLebrAte its thirtieth ANNiVersAry if you haven’t already done so, be sure to put the seaside thirtieth Anniversary on your calendar for this fall, as two major seaside events will bring visitors from far and wide to walk its streets and enjoy its intimate camaraderie.

“Seaside is home to some of the region’s most anticipated annual events, including the Seeing Red Wine Festival in November and our holiday celebration, Turn on the Town,” said Adam Shiland, event producer. “The key to our programming is to keep it fresh and unique, with different elements, but not lose sight of those traditions that families look forward to each and every year.”

Seaside’s fall events have become part of family traditions for thousands of people who come from all over. To learn more about the Seeing Red Wine Festival, visit SeeingRedWineFestival.com, and for more information on Seaside’s Turn on the Town parade and light celebration, go to SeasideFL.com.

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CReAting youR PeRfeCt BACkdRoP It is well known that a home is a reflection of its owner; clearly, it is the creative and unique touches that separate a house from a home. The home does, of course, serve as a backdrop to daily life, and the smallest details enhance that. Each season, new home trends arrive like clockwork. New patterns, prints, and color schemes leave many homeowners longing to update their nests. Whether a home is set up for entertaining, raising a family, or as an intimate escape, expressing the personalities that occupy it can be done in creative ways that won’t break the bank.

This is just what VIE had in mind: an exploration of ways to freshen up old items most people have lying around their homes. Do-it-yourself (or DIY) projects have swept households across the nation, so we were eager to try out a few of our own. There is a therapeutic aspect to DIY projects—they allow one to participate in the creation of a fresh perspective on the home, whether it is already immaculately styled or just starting to come together.

20 was the ideal Robert and Daryl Davis’s original Seaside home (featured on page 18) backdrop for the DIY projects in our Home and Garden issue; the simple and inexpensive ideas created an interesting juxtaposition and enhanced the already perfectly styled home.

By Ainsley RogeRs

Photography: Romona Robbins Creative Direction: lisa Burwell and Ainsley Rogers Project Development: Meghan Ryan, emmett s. Hightower, and Jordan staggs Set Styling: erica Pierce and Mackenzie Carter, with items from Pizitz Home and Cottage A special thanks to Robert and Daryl Davis for the use of their Seaside home, to Chan’s Wine World in WaterColor for their food styling services, and to Clay on Highway 30-A for the use of the fresh herbs.

vie zine.com | 31

1.

ColoR-BloCked CookwARe

Incorporate the current color-block trend in your kitchen.

Create colorful kitchenware by taping off portions of your old wooden kitchen utensils and painting them.

2.

wHAt you’ll need: · Wooden kitchen utensils · Acrylic paints · Clear sealant · Painter’s tape · Scissors do it youRself: 1. After washing your wooden utensils, allow them to dry thoroughly. Use painter’s tape to section off areas on the utensils’ handles, depending on desired color combinations.

2. Paint the designated areas with selected colors using a medium-sized paintbrush.

Let dry. Apply another thin coat of paint.

3. Gently pull off the painter’s tape. Finish with a thin coat of clear sealant over the entire handle. Let dry.

{ VIE’s Tip } Mix and match your colors for unique combinations!

For behind-the-scenes footage of VIE’s DIY photo shoot, visit viezine.com/VIEtv.

3.

1.

MAson JAR PlAnteRs

2.

3.

Showcase fresh herbs in your kitchen or on your patio. Recycle mason jars with simple labels for a practical yet charming display. wHAt you’ll need: · Mason jar—any size · Chalkboard paint · Potted herb (shown here: mint, thyme, and basil) · Potting soil · Small paint brush · Painter’s tape—(optional) do it youRself: 1. After washing and drying the mason jar, paint a small, rectangular area with chalkboard paint. For those looking for a more defined line, use painter’s tape to outline the area.

Let dry, then apply another thin coat.

2. When the chalkboard label is dry, scoop potting soil into the bottom third of the mason jar.

4.

3. Take the herb from its container and settle it gently into the mason jar, pulling away excess soil from the roots so it fits comfortably into the jar.

4. Label your newly potted herb with colored or white chalk. To erase or change, simply wipe the writing away.

{VIE’s Tip } Using a drill, drill three small holes into the bottom of the mason jar to allow for water drainage.

vie zine.com | 33

1.

2.

CHAlkBoARd seRving PlAtteR 3.

You’ll be serving your guests in style with this simple yet chic update to an everyday platter. wHAt you’ll need: · Painter’s tape · A large, soft-bristled brush · Sandpaper · Primer · Chalkboard paint · Chalk · Serving platter (featured here in porcelain) do it youRself: 1. After washing and drying the platter, tape off the edges with painter’s tape to ensure a straight edge.

4.

5.

2. Lightly sand the predetermined chalkboard area. Brush away dust and sanding remnants.

3. Apply a primer to the sanded area. Let dry.

4. Apply the chalkboard paint with a large, soft-bristled brush in long, even strokes. You’ll be able to see the brush strokes even after the chalkboard paint dries, so apply as evenly as possible.

Let dry. Apply a thin second coat.

5. Let paint dry thoroughly. Then, gently peel the painter’s tape away from edges, making sure the chalkboard paint does not peel.

6. Arrange cheeses, crackers, jams, and the like on the platter. Label each snack accordingly with chalk. To clean, simply wipe away.

{ VIE’s Tip } Some chalkboard paint has a tendency to peel, so be sure to paint in thin layers using long, even strokes. We also used an extra sticky primer to ensure the chalkboard paint stuck to the platter. To further reduce peeling, use a small soft-bristled brush to outline the dry, painted area with chalkboard paint to seal the edges after peeling away the painter’s tape.

34 | September /O ctober 2012

6.

1.

2.

MetAlliC BAsket witH HAnd-wRAPPed HAndle

3.

Incorporate the metallic trend into your home by spray-painting old baskets in silver or gold—a really easy update to something you probably already have around the house! Hand-wrapped handles add the perfect luxurious detail to this project. wHAt you’ll need: · Basket · 1 can of metallic spray paint (featured here in silver) · Primer spray paint · 4 bundles of thread in desired color (featured here in navy) · Hot glue gun

4.

do it youRself: 1. In a large outdoor area that is shielded from wind, spray-paint the basket evenly with primer. Let dry.

2. Spray the basket with metallic spray paint from at least three feet away. This prevents dripping.

Let dry. Apply a second coat if needed.

3. Choose a location on the basket’s handle to begin wrapping the thread. (We chose to begin about two inches up from the base of the handle to create a color-blocked effect.) Using a hot glue gun, dot the glue on the underside of the handle and press the end of the string into it to begin.

5.

4. Begin wrapping the thread tightly and closely together. If the thread runs out, secure the end with hot glue on the underside of the handle, and begin wrapping the new thread in the same spot.

5. Continue wrapping until you reach the corresponding location on the opposite side of the handle or until desired area is covered. Secure the end on the underside of the handle with hot glue.

Use your new metallic basket to stow magazines, throw blankets, laundry, or anything else that needs a charming disguise.

{ VIE’s Tip } Use a primer in the same shade as your metallic spray paint. To prime our silver metallic baskets, we used a gray primer, which provided more even coverage and allowed us to skip the second coat of metallic spray paint. To incorporate the neon trend into your home, try wrapping the handles with neon pink or yellow.

vie zine.com | 35

COST TIME QUALITY

BY DARRELL RUSSELL, AIA, ASID P RI N C I P A L A R C H ITE C T O F A B O H E ME D E SIG N , R O SE MA R Y B E A C H , F LO R ID A

P HOTOGRAP HY BY JACK GARDNE R

Darrell Russell, principal architect with A BOHEME Design, has more than thirty years of experience in both architecture and interior architecture. magazine recognized his talents with a Project of the Year award for his former home in Memphis, as well as a Grand Award and Home of the Year award for his Rosemary Beach home. Here, he offers his expertise and tips for your construction project.

vie zine.com | 39

W

hen it comes to a custom-built home or any type of construction project, there are three important variables: cost, time, and quality. The first two you define will always determine the outcome of the third. The first question most clients ask me is, “How much will it cost?” I can rarely give an immediate answer. There are two other questions that must be answered first: What is your construction time frame? And what level of quality do you want?

» TIME In our area, it seems that any construction project along 30A falls into “Panhandle Time.” Despite this, time is always money. There are few exceptions. “Panhandle Time” accommodates various quality levels and construction budgets, but consumers need to be cautious about excessive construction duration. The final construction cost of a project that has commenced without a known maximum cost will increase the longer the project is prolonged. Overhead costs for the general contractor, financing costs, property taxes, insurance, and utilities: all of these costs will continue to add up and eat into the client’s budget.

Additionally, high quality construction requires adequate time for execution of details. Even the wait time for specialty materials may affect the construction schedule. For example, some of the finest windows and doors available in the world are manufactured in Italy and Germany. The time required for ordering, shop drawing review, production, shipment, and delivery has schedule consequences, which vary greatly from one manufacturer to another. The availability of flooring materials, tile, stone slabs, and specialty fixtures will each affect the construction schedule.

» Quality

This highly customized kitchen includes stainless steel countertops and ebonized white oak cabinetry with stainless steel drawer details to align with a custom-finish matte-black Viking Range.

This house reflects a construction cost of over $350 per square foot.

General contractor: Galvas Construction, Inc.

There is an old cliché that we all know—beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. When it comes to design and construction, there are at least three beholders: the client, the architect, and the contractor. And each can, and usually does, have a very different definition of beauty. The client should be the most influential and passionate about the things they desire and need in both the functional and aesthetic aspects of their home design, particularly when the house is to be used exclusively by the owner. However, if the home

This compact secondary bar tucked under a stairwell is an example of appliance and material choices from a construction project with a cost of more than $600 per square foot. The copper tile material alone for the backsplash was more than $5,000. Appliances, all high-end, include two refrigeration drawers, an ice maker, dishwasher, and microwave.

The exquisite antique Jerusalem stone shown on this floor is in excess of $40 per square foot before adding shipping, tax, and installation costs.

General contractor: Galvas Construction, Inc. is not exclusively for personal use, the architect and the client should work towards more practical solutions and make decisions based upon that which the general market user deems beautiful, in addition to the client’s ideas. For example, if the house will be a vacation rental or is built to ultimately be resold, it is important to consider the general and practical preferences of the market and third-party user as much or more than the passionate preferences of the owner.

Although, in my opinion, aesthetic decisions should be completely between the architect, interior designer, and the owner, the contractor does often have the eye for the best construction technique to achieve and implement a detail. Too often when the cost of construction is considered, the client’s love of a detail is totally lost. The architect and contractor often can collaborate to find an alternative solution to execute a detail in a more cost-effective manner.

Years ago, I had a tight budget for the offices of a graphic design and public relations firm. I wanted to accent the lobby walls but did not have much money to spend on the finish. The radical wall finish that I came up with was to paint the various sheetrock accent walls in a strong color and then cover them in wire plaster lath to provide texture, depth, and visual interest. My “out of the box” thinking took the subcontractor off guard.

He never quite understood why we painted the walls first. He continued to ask when we were going to plaster over the lath so that the walls would look “nice.” In that instance, the contractor and I had differing definitions of beauty. This can happen quite a lot.

is the norm. However, what struck me as even more odd was the fact that someone had carefully wrapped the iron pipe in fake wood-grain contact paper. You remember—the stuff that was used to line cabinet shelves that came in all sorts of patterns? Well, this particular plumbing pipe had been decorated to someone’s satisfaction to look “exactly” like a wooden column. I suspect the solution also met their definition of beauty. When my colleague returned to the car, he was laughing out loud and asked, “Hey, did you see that vent pipe in the restroom with the contact paper finish?” No, it did not meet with the architects’ approval.

I recall a trip many years ago in Mississippi: I was making a pit stop at a convenience store on the way back from a project. In the restroom, the plumbing vent pipe was totally visible instead of being inside the wall behind the toilet, which

The cost of quality varies from one end of the spectrum to the other. Quality, even of the same level, can be one price in Rosemary Beach, another price in Alys Beach, yet another in WaterColor, and so on. My suggestion to most

clients is that they budget around $300 per square foot (on gross square footage) as a minimum in Rosemary Beach for construction of a new masonry house. However, we managed to design a house three years ago that was constructed for $156 per square foot. That was an atypical price for this area, but based on the client’s wants and needs, a lower price point was possible. For new home construction in WaterColor, construction can be substantially less than $300 for average finishes, but in Alys Beach, I would suggest a minimum of more than $400 per square foot. Of course, these numbers can fluctuate according to each client’s wants and needs. Generally speaking, if a client chooses, say, extraordinary finishes, windows, and copper roofing material, wants the best construction quality possible, and desires a house designed to withstand at least a low Category 5 hurricane wind speed, the budget needs to be more than $600 per square foot. It vie zine.com | 41

could range up to as much as $1,000. We have designed some large Gulf-front houses with a budget as low as $300 per gross square foot and with fortified classification. While it is possible to spend any amount of money, the basics of construction are not variables. They cost what they cost. In our strong construction market, there is very little flexibility in the cost of necessary work for various trades and scopes.

Having a full-time top-notch job superintendent is the best way I know to keep a project on schedule and to help assure the desired quality is maintained. The superintendent is there every day to know who shows up and who does not, who is keeping their commitments and who is not; to receive deliveries and check the contents; to keep workers from destroying or damaging expensive items that need protection, and to coordinate the entire construction site.

However, superintendents cost money and having one will increase your construction price. If you are building an expensive house, you need a superintendent. It will save you time and money in the long run.

» Cost

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Back to the first question most clients ask: How much will it cost? The answer is, probably somewhere between $150 and $1,000 per square foot.

That range can get narrowed quickly once there is an understanding of the expectations, quality, and definition of beauty in the eyes of the client.

The time required to construct a new home, aside from “Panhandle Time,” is typically five months to two years. Quality can be anything you want it to be from builder grade to fine custom, as long as your budget and schedule allow. Bringing together a team of professionals to work with you early on in the design process, often even before purchasing a specific piece of land, can help you better understand what size house meets your budget, what type of quality you can expect, and the construction time frame to anticipate.

Opening Image: Simple design and easy execution of details allowed this Rosemary Beach house to have a less-than-average $156-per-square-foot cost of construction, including the pool.

General contractor: Earthbuild, LLC

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Envelop yourself in luxury with the French-styled canopy of the Mademoiselle Bed, designed with beautiful carved arms in the signature scroll detail of Christopher Guy. Elegant yet sturdy bracket feet support the bed base. Featured here with the playful Feather Mirror and the graceful Nugget Bench.

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Furniture Fervor: Christopher Guy Ushers in a New Era

By Tori Phelps

If La-Z-Boy is your favorite furniture designer, stop reading right now. You’re not ready for Christopher Guy. The rest of you may want to settle in with a beverage because it’s impossible to simply glance at these spectacular pieces; it requires a bit of time to fully appreciate their sensuous lines and timeless beauty. But if you’ve got the time, he’s got the designs.

A World(ly) View They grace the most exclusive hotels in the world and have shown up in movies such as Casino Royale and The Devil Wears Prada. Perhaps not surprisingly, the man behind these furnishings has a backstory as interesting as any of the films in which his pieces have appeared.

Christopher Guy Harrison was born in Britain, raised on the Continent and currently calls Singapore home. He credits his mom and stepdad with not only exposing him to multiple cultures as a kid, but also inspiring the craft that would eventually earn him international acclaim. “At the age of sixteen, we relocated to the South of France, where we worked on my first project: building our home over a period of eighteen months,” he recalls. “This

ignited the sparks of passion for design, with my stepfather as a key source of inspiration.”

The hands-on construction process may have been the spark, but it was his new surroundings—and the exposure to diverse cultures in France and Spain—that set his creativity on fire. The people and places in the South of France particularly influenced Harrison’s design ideals, cementing his love for all things glamorous, with old Hollywood glamour an enduring favorite.

In the mid-90s, Harrison was ready to make his artistic mark, and he settled on mirrors as the vehicle.

Why mirrors? “When I started in the industry, there were no contemporary, high-end mirror companies, as it was such a specialized category of product,” he explains. “There were only classic designs available,

mostly of the Chippendale and Louis XIV style, and even then it was only a handful of mirror companies mostly copying each other.”

He quickly changed that. Under the name Harrison and Gil, he set out to create the biggest, most fabulous mirror frame collection in the world. Harrison’s astounding success (his first sale was to Harrods) meant he needed to find a place to produce all of these beautiful pieces. That place turned out to be Indonesia’s Central Java, which not only had the hardwood he needed, but the master craftsmen who continue to help his visions become gorgeous, hand-carved reality.

In a world of cheap, slapped-together fake wood and plastic parts, Harrison maintains a dogged commitment to old-world quality. He has to, since the rest of the world seems to have given up on the idea. Harrison, vie zine.com | 45

Enter Christopher Guy.

1 2 3

46 | September /O ctober 2012

1: This Mademoiselle Curved Sofa exhibits feminine charm and soft edges: a gently rolled back, curved arms, and fluted, tapered leg detail.

2: The exquisitely carved silhouette of this contemporary lounge chair glides seamlessly into masterfully carved “calla” scroll arms and sabre legs.

The carvings and timeless elegance of the designs are a nod to classic style, while the ever-present design twists and elimination of ornate elements add a contemporary flavor.

3: The featherlike designs of the Panache Lounge Chair exemplify graceful detail and visual movement. The exquisite pleating on the border around the base of the chair is not to be missed.

who renamed his company Christopher Guy in 2006 to reflect its comprehensive line of luxury furnishings and accessories, picks up where other traditions have left off. He explains that the world’s finest furnishings and fittings once came from Europe; today, the marketing of European brands is still strong, but the actual pieces don’t hold up to the hype. “What you see in European furnishings is now created by machines.

It’s becoming more expensive to create fine furnishings in Europe, and they barely exist.”

Enter Christopher Guy. Not only is Harrison’s production technique unusual, but his designs have made a splash because they, too, offer something unexpected but utterly welcome: pieces that fill the gap between classic and contemporary, with an international look that transcends borders. The carvings and timeless elegance of the designs are a nod to classic style, while the ever-present design twists and elimination of ornate elements add a contemporary flavor.

One of the most famous Christopher Guy classiccontemporary features is his signature Chris-X (pronounced “crisscross”) chair legs. Like many of his designs, it was inspired by the feminine form—in this case, the corseted waist of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind. The idea, he says, was to create a chair that was simple, sophisticated, and flexible enough to

work with a variety of style categories. The only way to incorporate all of those principles while honoring his inspiration was to reconfigure the legs.

Christopher Guy West Hollywood Showroom joined global headquarters in Singapore and offices in Dubai and London.

And so the Chris-X chair was born.

Make no mistake; the company’s U.S. flagship isn’t your average furniture store. The 10,000-squarefoot building, located in an area Harrison calls “the epicenter of the design and furnishing industry in California,” introduces the Design Lab. What it allows designers to do—apply fabric and finishes to their pieces—is easy enough to grasp. How it’s done—with advanced software and touch-screen displays—is something you have to see to believe.

The result is a single working environment that can be used to create entire projects, even scaling rooms to meet clients’ needs.

Handcrafted from a single piece of wood, the Chris-X design refines the posterior of a chair by tapering the form without compromising comfort, structural strength, or stability. Harrison’s innovation has been extended to a full range of Christopher Guy pieces, giving chair backs a sculpted look and showing off the curved lines of larger upholstered pieces.

Coming to America For the first time in his two-decade, explosively successful career, Harrison is debuting a line with a defining theme. The inspiration behind the poetic “Mademoiselle” collection, he explains, is a grand Parisian apartment and the elegant 1920s-era woman who lived there. “It exudes the femininity and sophistication of that old-world glamour,” he adds.

The collection also introduces the new Christopher Guy “Coco” wood finish—rich, dark brown hues— which can be seen on most of the cabinets, chairs, and tables in the Mademoiselle collection.

The fair Mademoiselle must now share Harrison’s attention with an entire country, however.

Christopher Guy pieces are already in countless homes and high-end hotels in the U.S., not to mention a mainstay in Hollywood productions, so it made sense to go big in the States. As of May, the

The opening of the new showroom coincided with BritWeek, an annual celebration of creativity and innovation between Britain and California, as well as the presentation of the Second Annual Christopher Guy BritWeek Design Award. The award is presented to a California design school student who submits a furnishing or decorative accent piece according to a theme—this year, based on the creations of famed haute couture hat designer Philip Treacy. The winner and two runners-up, as judged by an all-star panel, earn the chance to intern at the Christopher Guy Singapore design office, as well as visit Maison and Objet, the international home design exhibition in Paris.

More than just another bullet point on a résumé, the award’s biggest boon is the opportunity to travel—something Harrison knows from personal experience can be a difference maker. “I believe that vie zine.com | 47

Above: The Mademoiselle Vitrine, a breathtaking mahogany display cabinet shown here with an eggshell lacquered back and Coco wood finish, is unrivaled for showcasing objets d’art.

through traveling, young designers will be exposed to different cultures and elements,” he says. “This is important in order for them to create and broaden their portfolios. It will make a good designer better.”

Complemented artfully here by the Camellia Dining Chair, which represents the affinity that Mademoiselle had for her favorite flower, the camellia.

It may also help them discover that design is a relatively small part of the job, perhaps as small as 5 percent, according to Harrison. “As a designer, the infrastructure to support your design is paramount. Bringing that design to fruition includes managing the entire system, including the craftsmen and the company.”

The 2011 Design Icon Award winner has proven to be more than up for the job, illustrating yet again what sets him apart from the pack. “I’ve had to be a businessman, a marketer, and a designer with a global view and presence,” he says. “It has required a new approach to design and marketing, one that continues to evolve to match the dream I had all those years ago.”

Whether it’s designing a piece of furniture or creating a global empire, Harrison has discovered that most things in life require a delicate balance.

Start with ensuring that all of the components complement each other and then throw in attention to form and structure. He concludes, “It is the harmonious combination of all these elements that determines success.”

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Clay Potter’s Hand in the

By Ainsley RogeRs • Photography By Romona Robbins

Nestled on the south side of Scenic Highway 30-A in Seagrove, Florida, a simple,

crannies of the store. Clay is full of unexpected discoveries, and each detail found

brown clapboard sign hangs and subtly beckons to passersby, whether they were

within the garden center adds to its whimsical appeal.

looking for it or not. A lush garden, brimming with every color in a painter’s palette, is part Alice in Wonderland, part The Secret Garden. Stepping onto the

The Clay Story

property is like setting foot into Eden: sweet scents abound as butterflies flit from

During the tour, Anna-Lisa unveils the story of how Clay came to be. She began

flower to flower, birds call to each other, and bees zig and zag. A small barn-style

her career in interior design. But after many years in the profession and dually

shed is the centerpiece to the garden compound, with an American flag snapping

helping her husband in the plant nursery business, Anna-Lisa began to envision

in the breeze and another simple wooden sign that

opening a garden shop of her own, one that was

announces, “We are happy as clams.”

peaceful and inspirational—a space where creativity would flourish among nature.

At Clay, it would seem impossible not to be.

Soon, the opportunity to purchase an idyllic locaAs if on cue, Anna-Lisa Daniel, a perky soul with a

tion along 30-A arose. Anna-Lisa quickly joined

sweet smile, pushes open the door and descends the steps of the charming white cottage gift shop with her two young daughters in tow. An introductory walking tour ensues as Anna-Lisa lovingly describes each pocket of the unusual nursery. The property is an impressive collection of flowering bushes, accent trees, pottery containers of all sizes, and much more. Lime trees lean against a small picket fence, where a dainty sign peeks through the leaves and reminds to “Have a blessed day.” Birdhouses hang overhead, enticing birds to make a home, while still more are tucked in corners among beautifully marbled pottery pieces that have just been delivered.

Flowers of every color and texture—lavender, yellow, feathery, velvety—draw the eye as if they were part of a Monet painting.

forces with friends and fellow churchgoers Scott and Linda Smith. Scott, with his extensive understanding of native Florida plants, is an acclaimed landscape designer with a portfolio spanning from Inlet Beach to Miramar Beach. Linda, Scott’s wife and a passionate gardener, is known by many for her green thumb, knowledge of herbs, and retail gardening experience. And so, after much luck— and many blessings—Anna-Lisa, Scott, and Linda forged a fruitful business partnership.

Their goal was simple. The trio sought to provide a distinctive garden and gift shop to their community, one where customers could find a beautiful assortment of plants, unique pottery, garden accessories, and a thoughtful collection of charming gifts to warm any home. As Scott,

To the rear of the property is a small clearing for an assortment of unique driftwood

Linda, and Anna-Lisa’s dream began to take form, a simple word was put on their

ranging from small to large. One of Clay’s best-selling items, these natural works

hearts—clay.

of art are favorites among creative shoppers who have been known to use them as home and garden accents—even as serving platters! On the cottage porch,

Anna-Lisa points out that “clay,” by definition, is what pottery is made from. “But

fresh herbs can be found to complement any meal or to help relieve symptoms

for us,” she says, “the significance of ‘clay’ is found in Isaiah 64:8: ‘Yet, O Lord, thou art

of the common cold. Inside the cottage, the scent of dried lavender wafts among

our Father, we are the clay, and thou art our potter; we are all the work of thy hand.’”

candles, dainty vases, and artwork. Visitors are welcome to take a reprieve from the summer heat to sip on fresh mint–infused water and browse the nooks and

And in April of 2012, Clay: Garden. Pottery. Blessings was born.

vie zine.com | 53

“Most of our aRtwoRk is insPiRational ... we love the idea of eveRYone BeinG able to find a cRoss or a verse they love and want to have in their home.”

Hanging Baskets, Herbs, and Hibiscuses Each of the three owners plays an integral part in making Clay the whimsical escape that it is. Scott selects the pottery and plants for the garden, while Anna-Lisa and Linda pick the unique trinkets, scents, and art found inside the gift shop.

The garden offers, of course, almost any plant under the sun that is appropriate for the planting zones of Northwest Florida. The gift shop, where the rare charms and objets d’art are found, would satisfy almost any kind of shopper. Garden tools and gardening accessories are available for those with a green thumb. For others, rare finds and unique items such as recycled bird feeders, wool birdhouses, and handmade oyster dishes are on display along with pottery, jewelry, and beautiful artwork, including crosses fashioned by local artists.

“Most of our artwork is inspirational,” says Anna Lisa. “We love the idea of everyone being able to find a cross or a verse they love and want to have in their home. We want our customers to feel blessed, much like we were in being able to create Clay.”

54 | September /O ctober 2012

Tips for Your Garden Scott, Linda, and Anna-Lisa were kind enough to offer VIE readers five quick tips for a lush and lovely home garden.

1. Try container gardening.

This is an easy way to introduce color and unique plants with a big impact, especially for gardens in a neighborhood with landscape guidelines.

2. Consider placement of plants.

Always know the growth habits of the plants being used so they won’t grow too closely to driveways or structures.

3. Top with mushroom compost.

Given the sandy soils of Northwest Florida, amending the top four to six inches with mushroom compost will add beneficial microbes that help to develop root systems, abundant blooms, and fruit. It also elicits vigorous plant growth.

4. Incorporate fresh herbs.

Herbs are a fantastic addition to any garden, large or small. Fresh herbs can be grown year-round, even on a sunny windowsill in winter. They can also be used for a variety of reasons in the home: oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil, and tarragon will enhance the flavor of food and can be dried for future use; herbs such as anise, mint, and chamomile can soothe an upset stomach or sore throat.

5. Use native plants.

A beach climate is harsh on most plants. Consider using native plants—they will have a better chance of survival and require less water to become established.

Learn more at StayMonkey.com

vie zine.com | 59

Lauricella Land Development (a third-generation Louisiana development company and owner of the project), GenBuilt Company, and Massey Sabella have worked diligently and cohesively to uphold the integrity of these historic buildings. Holding themselves to the highest standards, they have beautifully revived the space with amazing attention to detail.

Sabella gives me a gracious, confident smile as he proudly enlightens me with his historical perspective and insight on the project. He is a knowing soul. Following my tour, I head through the lush urban courtyard to find Dustin Gendusa, the general contractor. Not skipping a beat, he calls out, “Is that Suzy Q?” I laugh, as we’ve spoken on the phone numerous times to coordinate tile, but we have never met. Immediately, I am at ease. In talking with Dustin and many of the subs on the project, I have come to understand the level of pride and craftsmanship that has gone into every detail of restoring Les Maisons. Dustin fills me in that “these hundred-and-fifty-plus-year-old beams had to be manually cut with a chain mechanism in order to get a straight cut … in fact, the staircase [from 1850] was partially saved and painstakingly restored.” Due to two disastrous fires, one in 1788 and another in 1794, very few walls remain that were built by the Spanish during their last rule (1763–1804). And yet, a small section still stands steadfastly in the courtyard of 1235 Bourbon Street. My hand touches the brick, runs under a curved, old staircase, and feels a rough beam. In the silence, I feel as if a hundred souls are there with me.

Exhilarated, I finally have time to focus on the tile in these lovely residences.

How amusing since tile is my passion! Tammy Massey, architect and interior designer on this French Quarter renovation, generously gave me the opportunity vie zine.com | 61

f r e n c h r e stau r a nt

to work with her on the process of selecting tile and stone for these amazing buildings. In a chance meeting a week before Q Tile opened, she came knocking at my door one evening while I was diligently cleaning and asked me if she could “peek.”

Of course I said, “Yes, but don’t look too closely!

We’ve had a long day.” After a few laughs and shop stories, I realized I was dealing with a passionate and talented architect and designer. Within days, we had begun working together on the extraordinary Les Maisons project, which was recently graced with a prestigious Vieux Carré Commission Certificate of Merit for Renovation.

One month later, I returned with an amazing photographer and native of New Orleans, Andrew Alwert.

The progress of the buildings was breathtaking! We went through room by room and angle by angle.

Honestly, there was no way to take a bad picture.

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Before leaving, I told Andrew how drawn I was to the adjacent courtyard, the focal point of the upcoming Phase III. A hand-carved, almost life-size statue of the Virgin Mary stood ethereally among overgrown plants and dilapidated buildings as if awaiting a loving touch. The scene definitely called to me, as I’m sure Mary offered solace and hope to the women of La Maison Hospitalière. Since songs tug at our heartstrings, I feel the women of La Maison Hospitalière would have agreed with the lyrics: “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me ... There will be an answer, let it be.” For certain, there are a million moments to let things be. On the other hand, we are meant to create our own destinies. Les Maisons allows a harmonious opportunity to view both in unison. The styles of the delicate past and urban future collide. Throughout this experience, I felt watchful eyes from above.

Suzy Accola is the owner of Q Tile in Grayton Beach, Florida. She has over ten years of experience in lighting and tile design. Suzy is also an author with her first novel completed and second under way.

62 | September /O ctober 2012

BoDacious Design

BoDacious Continued …

Sweeping the Emerald Coast by storm in late 2011 and winning the “Best in Destin” 2011–2012 award for number one designer, BoDacious became the number one ladies’ jewelry and handbag boutique on the Emerald Coast, no doubt in record time.

Economic downturns, location changes, you name it—and BoDacious is growing.

BoDacious has grown in custom designs, jewelry and handbag sales, and fine and unique furnishings consignments and is still expanding with a new twist to this already incredible super-collection of all things ladies love. Nowhere else on the Emerald Coast encompasses everything that BoDacious offers. Bodacious’s unique custom design service in everything for the home includes, but is never limited to, custom draperies, bedding, upholstery, fine rugs, fine furniture, and lighting. BoDacious even offers creative furniture and bedding for your pets. In the upcoming weeks, BoDacious will be adding a wide variety of fabulous designer fabrics for the home and upholstery. Bo Casey and her staff at BoDacious are the only connection you need to have the finest, most impressive home you will ever live in. BoDacious will help you design your world—and with all the resources you need under one roof.

It’s easy to understand why BoDacious has enjoyed such a meteoric rise to stardom on the Emerald Coast and will continue to shine brighter and brighter as time goes on.

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Justin Gaffrey Brings 30-A to Life – By Jordan StaggS –

vie zine.com | 67

It starts with a blank canvas. That moment—just before the brush hits the stark white surface—holds in it all the tension and wonder creativity produces.

What will Justin paint today?

As the sounds of the Steve Miller Band pump through his home studio/gallery in Blue Mountain Beach, Florida, artist Justin Gaffrey begins working on his first painting of the day, brushing a grey-brown background over the canvas that his assistant, Brian Wood, had built and stretched just this morning. All around the gallery, three-dimensional renditions of landscapes, flowers, birds’ nests, and fauna are exhibited, prompting visitors to gaze around, choosing and rechoosing favorites as they discover a new painting around every corner.

Prior to 2001, Justin never even dreamed he would create over five hundred paintings a year. He was a chef and restaurant owner before he realized that cooking the same menu night and day was no longer appealing. “I sold my restaurant and started building furniture,” Justin says through the window of the wall separating his studio space from the gallery. “But I have a short attention span, and I got bored with furniture, too.”

His paintings began as primitive folk art pieces, the very first of which is immortalized in a photo in the back room of his gallery: three skeletons cooking fish in a large cauldron beneath a crescent moon. But one look at Van Gogh’s Sunflowers changed everything for him.

“Justin’s style really changed then,” says Christy Milliken, the director of Justin’s studio and his two Florida galleries, one in Blue Mountain Beach and the other in Seaside. “He decided he wanted to inspire people like that. He wanted to create his own style and texture.”

he says as he continues to scoop and sculpt each blossom. “I don’t think anyone teaches how to paint this way. You could say it’s like building.”

Sunflowers are still one of Justin’s most popular subjects, and many of the pieces include the words to the popular song “You Are My Sunshine.” “It seems like everyone who comes in here or to the galleries has a different story about the song,” Milliken says.

“Whether their grandmother or their mother used to sing it, it’s special for a lot of people.”

While Justin works, Carrie and Brad Pittenger of St. Louis peruse the gallery and choose a gorgeous sunflower piece, their first purchase after years of visiting Justin’s gallery while on vacation. “We’ve been looking to redo our bedroom and think this painting will be perfect,” says Carrie. “We have friends who have a house in the area and they have about eight of Justin’s pieces. They’re the first things you notice when you walk in, and we love it. It’s really part of the 30-A scene.”

Onto the canvas, Justin piles a small mountain of sky-blue acrylic paint from his palette, which is suspended from the ceiling on a track, a roll of paper towels perched above it. Practically every surface in the small room is covered in tiny multicolored stalactites of paint. Justin says he goes through about a ton of paint each month—literally.

Sunflowers and coastal landscapes are still a large part of Justin’s repertoire, but his theme of the moment is better reflected in organic nests and driftwood-inspired animals, such as the majestic nine-by-six-foot horse painting at his self-named gallery in Seaside. He loves creating new pieces and discovering how to make the best version of each subject. Of course, as with works by any artist, everyone sees each painting differently.

The small blue mountains begin to take new shape as Justin plucks at them with a palette knife, his tool of choice. He rarely uses a brush except when painting the backgrounds of his works. Each swift movement creates a petal, transforming a mountain into a well-known blossom: the hydrangea. Justin didn’t even know how to use a palette knife when he began painting. “I used it how it made sense,”

“There’s my part of making this art and then there’s the interpretation,” Justin says as he squeezes more paint onto the canvas using a conical paper tube.

Experimenting with new ideas and styles keeps him from growing bored. “You want to do things

And what a journey it has been since then.

68 | September /O ctober 2012

70 | September /O ctober 2012

to satisfy your own soul. I have a lot of ideas. I have books everywhere full of ideas, and it’s a little daunting sometimes. Winter is usually when I try the new ones, when it’s not so busy.”

This winter might prove to be busier than usual with Justin’s 2012 tour of painting and selling exhibitions scheduled in Tennessee, Virginia, and Alabama. It will also give Justin some time to interact with people, particularly children. “It’s really exciting to see kids be stimulated by something other than what stimulates the masses, to see how real it is to them,” he says. “I always ask what kind of attention span these kids have because that’s one of my big things. Once I learned that I have a short attention span, I learned to work fast.”

That’s no exaggeration. In about ninety minutes the hydrangea piece is not only stunning but almost finished. Proclaiming he needs some more color, Justin pours out a healthy dose of orange paint and begins experimenting with it on a paint bucket. His shoes,

encrusted with so much dried paint they resemble a clown’s, crunch softly on the floor as he moves about the studio. He tosses the bucket aside and takes up the paper cone again, squeezing out paint that becomes the piece of twine holding his bundle of hydrangeas together.

“It’s down to a sort of science now,” he says of painting. “It’s the same as a recipe. When you know how certain things balance in food, it just becomes second nature. I know how the paint holds up and how the colors dry darker than they are now.”

Once he finishes painting his signature just below the hydrangeas, Justin turns the painting around for the “audience” in the gallery and asks what they think. It really is beautiful. But if you ask Justin, he’ll tell you there is always something new he can try.

None of what Justin does would be possible without his family and his amazing team in the studio, he says. “Christy is great—she’s not afraid to learn or do anything,” he says. “And Brian does so much here, like building these canvases. I can never get them perfect like he does. There are so many artists out there better than I am, but the business of art is difficult and it takes a team of people to do this.”

Justin’s black T-shirt is now spattered and smeared with paint, but he looks satisfied as he steps away from his canvas, the first of at least three or four paintings he’ll do today. “People ask all the time if I know what I’m going to paint when I start, and I don’t,” he says. “Life changes all the time. There’s no ‘know.’ You know?”

“When I was a chef, I tried to make the best food, so now I try to make the best paintings I can,” he says.

To see more of Justin Gaffrey’s work and exclusive interview footage, visit viezine.com/VIEtv.

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vie zine.com | 73

Justin Lyons is not your average artist. His work is about life—with perception. By using interpretations of the world around him, this self-taught creative uses mixed media to stir thought and to create something new and meaningful.

A Florida Panhandle native, Lyons’ last exhibit, OBJECT-ion, was held at Full Circle Gallery in August of 2011.This work plays on America’s consumer culture using the wit and humor that Lyons is known for. Lyons says it’s the “inner stuff ” that he paints. Interested in the meaning behind visual things—not the surface value, but what’s beneath the surface—he is constantly inspired by the people around him from an emotional standpoint.

“My main inspirations would have to be God and family. They both are very inspiring things if you allow them to be,” says Lyons. “As far as subject matter goes, anything can be inspiring. Really. I find that many times I’ll see something and automatically try to associate it with something in my head. That’s how many of my pieces are made.”

Luckily, his inspirations are only a few steps away. His studio is located in his backyard, so he can be around his family even while he’s working. The Lyons family lives in Fort Walton Beach in Northwest Florida. “I think what I like most about the area is that it’s very relaxed and not too hectic. It’s easy to live simply here, and we like that,” says Lyons.

As a successful artist, Lyons still doesn’t view his work as a career. He says he paints because he feels that he’s supposed to. His art is so fixed on channeling emotion and meaning that it goes beyond “work” and even beyond the piece itself—it’s bigger than that. “Regardless of what it is labeled, it will 74 | September /O ctober 2012

his art is so fixed on channeling emotion and meaning, it goes Beyond “work” and even goes Beyond the Piece itself.

always be a part of me. It’s my outlet. My therapy,” he says.

Lyons has always looked outside of the box with his work. His art is unique and refreshing. Some might even call it controversial. But above all, he makes the viewer think. Isn’t that what art is all about?

“I’m a self-taught artist that started out doing street art, so I don’t have much background in art history,” says Lyons. “However, artists like Cy Twombly, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Barry McGee, and other

‘street’ artists have always been some of my favorites.

Basquiat is at the top of my list because his art is about self-expression.”

Of all the pieces that Lyons has created, his favorites are the ones that somebody else connects with—the ones that may inspire or illicit deep thoughts. “I once had a woman call me crying and telling me how this painting of mine that she saw in a restaurant moved her and how it meant so much to her. That was pretty crazy for sure!” says Lyons. Interestingly, Lyons himself is removed from any emotional connection

“i’m just looking forward to the journey of it all and all the PeoPle i get to meet along the way.”

to his paintings, as he’d rather someone else make a connection. He says if a piece stays in his studio too long, it will most likely get painted over.

His work is emotional, thought provoking, and truly a treat for the viewer. Lyons is an artist to keep an eye on. He was one of the featured artists this past May at the 24th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts & Music Festival in Seaside where he was honored as “Best in Mixed Media.” Riding the wave of exposure from the festival, he’s looking forward to showing his work at more galleries in the near future.

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“I’m just looking forward to the journey of it all and all the people I’ll get to meet along the way,” says Lyons. “I feel blessed to have come this far, so anything else is just a bonus round!”

Justin Lyons’ original artwork is available for purchase at Artesano Jewels in downtown Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and the Art of Simple in Seaside, Florida. To view samples of his work, please visit his website at http://jlyonsart.com or www.facebook.com/ JustinLyonsArt.

To take a closer look into Justin Lyons’ studio and exclusive interview, visit viezine.com/VIEtv.

Justin Lyons, pictured here with NYC-based Abingdon 12 gallery owner Paul Caddell, was honored as “Best in Mixed Media” at the 24th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts & Music Festival.

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Horse II by Teresa Cline

By Tori Phelps

T

eresa Cline admits she’s a special kind of crazy. As in “It takes a special kind of crazy to spend days—sometimes weeks—stuck in a studio, talking only to your paints and dogs.” The self-taught artist seems perfectly content with the notion that something outside herself compels her to create. Luckily for her fans, these external forces coerce her into producing stunning pieces, which are being snapped up with increasing frequency.

Cline detests any attempt to describe her art—at least using her own words—but she concedes that she uses media such as acrylic, ink, oil pastel, oil-based colored pencil, and charcoal (sometimes incorporating all the above into one painting).

The result is not only a pretty picture but a peek inside her mind. “Painting, for me, is a way of processing an emotion,” she says. “Some people talk to other people about their feelings; I smear paint on a surface to get right with myself.”

Having been born with the “art curse,” as Cline calls it, this creative compulsion is all she’s ever known. Her family wasn’t exactly artistic, she recalls, yet she never thought about doing or being anything else. A supportive high school art teacher gave her the encouragement she needed to move forward with her art, though she discovered formal education wasn’t for her.

Besides art, animals are the only things she’s ever been passionate about, which may explain not only her menagerie at home (seven dogs, a talking parrot, and a porch cat) but also a new series: HORSE. The series was directly inspired by the response from Alaqua Animal Rescue after last year’s tragic horse trailer accident. “The work they did helping the two surviving horses was nothing short of amazing,” Cline raves. “I wanted to do something to help bring awareness to Alaqua and raise money for them.”

Cline attended college solely for the studio art and art history classes but quickly grew restless with being pushed to paint in the style of her professors. “Parroting their way wasn’t going to help me find my way,” she says.

“I wanted to do something to help bring awareness to Alaqua and raise money for them.”

Her brief collegiate journey at an end, Cline moved to Florida from the Black Hills of South Dakota in the mid-1990s.The nature of her pieces has clearly been influenced by this dramatic change of scenery, but the method behind her madness remains the same. She knows it’s time to pick up a brush when “I’m instructed by forces outside myself to stand in front of a big, scary, blank canvas and just get the heck out of the way,” she explains.

Knowing the massive amounts of money it requires to keep Alaqua open—and that the organization operates solely through donations—Cline decided her artistic gift could be transformed into a concrete gift for the animals she loves so much. A lifelong horse enthusiast who spent her childhood roaming the forests on her own equine, Cline was hesitant to revisit the compulsion of her younger years, when life consisted only of drawing horses, painting horses, and reading stories about horses. “I’ve resisted the temptation to let the horse spirit back into my life for fear of having the addiction relapse,” she smiles. “But I’m getting immense joy out of painting vie zine.com | 83

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(Top) Horse V; (Above) Horse I; (Right) Horse IV

“I get to color outside the lines and get paid for it.” the horse image again, and if I can help Alaqua even a little bit, it will be very rewarding to me.”

She created HORSE and other series, she says, for the same reason some people talk on and on about a subject: “Once you get started, there’s always something more to add or to explore.”

Cline admits that as a young painter she didn’t understand the place a series should have in an artist’s repertoire. Instead of finishing a painting and then continuing the topic with a new image, she would fiddle

with the completed piece, most of the time ruining it in an attempt to get all of her inspiration onto a single canvas. “It just didn’t occur to me to carry it onto another canvas,” she says in wonder. “That ‘duh’ moment when the idea of a series hit me? I can laugh about it now.”

Art aficionados can explore both her originals and prints by appointment at her studio gallery, where she lives and works. Don’t expect a hard sell, however. Despite the attention she’s received lately, she insists she isn’t motivated by sales (“or else I would work harder at being a better promoter!”). Rather, what makes her “curse” tolerable is when someone else falls in love with a piece she’s created.

Being able to witness the occasional emotional response from a stranger comes with a hefty price in relation to the all-encompassing nature of an artist’s life. “You never ever get a break from it—not for a weekend, not for a day. The muse always has you by the earlobe.” On the upside, she considers with a grin, “I get to color outside the lines and get paid for it.”

The forces would approve.

To learn more about Cline and her work, visit teresaclinegallery.com.

vie zine.com | 85

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$ InvestIng In a

rIsIng tax envIronment

We see it in the news every day—the current tax cuts are set to expire at the end of 2012 and if nothing is done, taxes will rise substantially. What to do with your investments in light of this situation is a question we hear daily.

We are going to address some thoughts for your consideration. But first, some background.

Beginning in 2013, unless Congress intervenes, we face several tax events simultaneously: the “Bush tax cuts” will expire, the Social Security payroll tax cut will expire, and a new 3.8 percent tax will be levied on taxable investment income for families earning more than $250,000. Of course, Congress can delay or modify these provisions.

But with overall tax rates at historically low levels and a burgeoning federal deficit, it’s probably just a matter of time before higher taxes become reality.

What actions might you take to best position yourself for what seems to be inevitably higher taxes in the future?

Here are some thoughts: Consider selling highly appreciated positions in your portfolio to lock in capital gains at current rates. Even if you really like the position, simply buy it back immediately— the wash sale rule only applies to losses, not gains. This way you lock in a 15 percent maximum long-term capital gain rate now versus as much as a 23.8 percent rate next year.

This could net you a lot of lifetime savings. You could also make use of the opportunity to consider reinvesting the proceeds in a more defensive or opportunistic investment.

88 | September /O ctober 2012

Take income now, rather than later. If you can, consider accelerating taxable income now, for 2012. For instance, you can exercise non-qualified stock options and lock in the tax at today’s rates versus an unknown higher rate in the future. Sure, it will cost you more in taxes now, but it may save you from larger amounts of taxes later.

Take any dividend interests or distributions now. If your business structure allows, consider taking dividends or other distributions now, while the tax rates are low. If you’re over seventy and a half years of age, you might also consider taking excess IRA distributions beyond the required minimum distribution amount (RMD) and redirecting the proceeds to a tax-managed nonqualified investment.

Consider tax-efficient investments. Some tax-free municipal bonds and tax-efficient investment strategies may boost your total after-tax investment return as compared with more traditional methods. These strategies could likely become more popular as taxes take a larger bite of investment returns. Ask your advisor about “tax harvesting” your losses now to minimize higher capital gain taxes later.

Convert your IRA to a Roth IRA. You’ll need to do some math to determine the merits of this strategy, but it’s definitely worth a look. This conversion could prove to be a brilliant move for some, merely a good strategy for others, and simply a good tax-saving, estate planning tool for the rest who qualify.

Definitely worth a call to your CPA. Annuities and life insurance. While not often considered the most attractive or appealing vehicles for your money, these tax-deferred products might become more attractive as tax rates rise.

The fate of the impending tax hikes will likely be determined by the proverbial lame-duck sesion that exists after the November elections. With such a short period of time tomake congressional waters move, agreement among the parties may prove problematic—to say the least.

By taking action this year, you may better position your family, your estate, or your business against the likelihood of higher tax burdens in the future. Perhaps it’s best to plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Views expressed in this newsletter are the current opinion of the author and are subject to change without notice. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Raymond James & Associates or your financial advisor. Investing always involves risk and you may incur a profit or a loss. No investment strategy an guarantee success. For conversions occurring after 2010, the federal income taxes must be paid in full the following tax year going forward. Unless certain criteria are met, Roth IRA owners must be fifty-nine and a half or older and have held the IRA for five years before tax-free withdrawals are permitted. Additionally, each converted amount is subject to its own five-year holding period.

Converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA has tax implications. Investors should consult a tax advisor before deciding to do a conversion. Dividends are not guaranteed and will fluctuate. While interest on municipal bonds is generally exempt from federal income tax, it may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, or state or local taxes. In addition, certain municipal bonds (such as Build America Bonds) are issued without a federal tax exemption, which subjects the related interest income to federal income tax. Municipal bond investments may involve market risk if sold prior to maturity, credit risk, and interest rate risk. As federal and state tax rules are subject to frequent changes, you should consult with a qualified tax advisor prior to making any investment decision.

Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC.

the stage is set at

firefly F { from

’n’

rock

By Lisa Burwell

•

roller to foodie

}

Photography by Romona Robbins

he traipsed around the country on countless rock band

tours promoting, managing, and sharing the stage with such acclaimed superstar rock bands as Mötley Crüe, Great White, and Kiss. It was the eighties and the hit “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N’ Roses was getting lots of radio play. The stage seemed to be set for the life of this San Diego native—at least until he met the love of his life, Stacy, at a NASCAR race. Stacy Burnham was living in Los Angeles at the time, having moved there from Panama City Beach to advance her acting career.

“We pride ourselves on being knoWn for our creative culinary excellence and dedication to our gulf roots.”

Fast-forward to present day and former rocker Dave Trepanier is lighting up a new stage. He is the owner of one of the best dining establishments to be found in Northwest Florida—Firefly Restaurant—which is changing the culinary scene in Panama City Beach. He is also a family man and evidently he relishes the role.

He positively beams as he tells the story of how destiny brought him and Stacy together at the California 500 and how they married a few years later. Dave had always aspired to one day open a restaurant, so when the couple moved to Panama City Beach to be closer to his wife’s family (Stacy’s father, Wes Burnham, is one of the founding fathers of Panama City Beach and owner of The Resort Collection, The Shoppes at Edgewater, and Edgewater Realty), it seemed like the right time to embark on a new venture. Aptly named, Firefly has spread its wings and taken flight despite starting up in the midst of an extremely risky economic climate.

Captivating and magical, the restaurant has been shining brightly since it opened five years ago. “We’ve survived an economic downturn and an oil spill, and we continue to grow—we are blessed,” admitted an obviously thankful Dave Trepanier.

in a lively and dimly lit bar with paneled walls of select hardwood. A large librarystyle lounge casts a distinct Hemingway vibe: bookcases surround the room, a fireplace is centered at the back wall, and plush leather seats and couches are perfectly situated throughout the room. To understand the dining experience at Firefly, one needs to know that it’s just that—an experience. Whimsical, romantic, mysterious—the almost surreal experience of dining under the sprawling oak tree with its twinkling lights makes one feel as though Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream has come to life.

Firefly continues to win awards and delight patrons. A well-trained staff, a talented and hardworking chef who has a fantastic command of his crew, and great food are a few of the keys to the success of this restaurant. Another is the comfortable ambience. At the center of the cozy, dimly lit dining room is a massive oak tree adorned with tiny accent lights that simulate luminous little fireflies, which absolutely beguile diners.

Always a trailblazer, Dave has garnered accolades and awards that include his most recent honor: making Urbanspoon’s list of “America’s Most Popular High-End Restaurants.” With only 250 restaurants chosen out of 600,000 from across the nation (and only twenty-five of those were Florida restaurants), Firefly joins other world-famous restaurants as one of America’s favorites. “We pride ourselves on being known for our creative culinary excellence and dedication to our Gulf roots,” said Trepanier. “Chef Paul Stellato and our staff are the reasons we’ve been able to achieve a reputation of excellence and maintain our high standards night after night.” The restaurant has also been awarded The Golden Spoon Award

by Florida Trend magazine two years in a row, proving that the unique concept behind the restaurant and its menu has been a big success. The accolades extend to its wine list as well—with a cellar boasting more than two thousand bottles, Firefly earned Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for five consecutive years.

With exposure like this, it won’t be long before everyone will know about the culinary gem tucked in the middle of the Shoppes at Edgewater. (The unassuming nature of the location seems to make discovering this restaurant all the more delightful.) Just inside the doors, friendly hosts welcome guests to decompress

vie zine.com | 91

“i In my humble opinion, there are so many favorites at firefly that it is hard to pinpoint just one, but the she-crab soup is one that you just have to try.”

Known for freshly caught fish, imported exotic seafood, locally sourced produce, succulent beef and fowl, artisan pizzas, handmade pasta, and excellent sushi, along with an extensive wine list, Firefly can best be described as a Mediterraneanstyle bistro. Executive Chef Paul Stellato has introduced Firefly’s diners to what he has coined “French Floridian” cuisine, a combination of fresh Gulf seafood paired with exquisite sauces. Steaks and chops are prepared on an 1800-degree broiler, which sears the meat and enriches the flavor. Among Firefly’s most-loved dishes is the wild Texas boar shank, which is slow braised in tomato sauce after being rubbed with espresso. “It falls off the bone, and then melts in your mouth,” says Trepanier, who counts the shank as a personal favorite. “In my humble opinion, there are so many favorites at Firefly that it is hard to pinpoint just one, but the she-crab soup is one that you just have to try.”

Not too many chefs and restaurant owners can lay claim to hosting the President and the First Family, but that is exactly what occurred in the summer of 2010.

The Secret Service whisked President Obama and his family in through the back door, and they dined like royalty as Firefly’s staff gave them a taste of the finest food and the most authentic Southern hospitality. And, if that wasn’t prestigious enough, Chef Paul recently returned from London where he cooked for Team USA athletes at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He was one of a select few chefs chosen through the BP-sponsored “Spirit of the Gulf ” program (www.teamusa.org), which aimed to bring Southern hospitality to Team USA and their families. Chef Paul, along with seven other chefs from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, prepared meals during an Olympic luncheon on August 9 and for a dinner during

92 | September /O ctober 2012

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the closing ceremonies. An acclaimed Firefly house recipe was on the menu for Team USA: sautéed Gulf grouper with fresh corn, grape tomatoes, and shallots, topped with a sherry cream and jumbo lump crab sauce.

Although many of his family members still live in Southern California, Dave Trepanier now calls Panama City Beach home with his wife, Stacy, daughter Ellie, and a new baby on the way.

It’s the all-American dream to be a winner—and it looks like Dave has captured the gold.

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To reserve a table tonight, call 850-249-FFLY (3359), or visit the restaurant website at www.fireflypch.com. vie zine.com | 93

Offers Fine Dining and Casual Elegance

By Wendy O. Dixon

p h o t o b y c h r i s h o r n a d ay

CAFE ThirTy-A

Rated a Diners’ Choice 2012 winner in multiple categories by OpenTable.com users, Café Thirty-A touts itself as a casual finedining restaurant featuring grilled and fire-roasted seafood, meats, and poultry, as well as wood-oven pizza, vegetarian fare, and “architectural” desserts. The menu is unique, thoughtful, and ever changing, making the most of the season’s freshest foods. “Each dish is unique,” Harriet said. “Every choice has the appropriate accompaniment, and doesn’t need additional seasoning when it comes to you.” One thing most patrons agree on is that the quality is stellar—consistently. “We’ve converted a lot of Northerners to eating grits,” Harriet related. “They say they’ve never liked grits until they tried ours.” With an extensive and varied wine list that includes several half-bottle selections, the establishment was also given Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence in 2012—an award they’ve been given every year since 1996.

Reservations are suggested, as Café Thirty-A’s popularity is evidenced by a full parking lot many nights. That said, the valet parking is a nice hint of the level of service awaiting you inside.

From the hosts to the waitstaff, it is apparent that extensive training goes on before the doors open. Experienced servers gracefully carry large trays with platefuls of food high overhead, even when going up and down the steps to and from the second-floor dining area. It’s obvious, as well, that there has been some taste testing of the day’s menu. My server, Sam Smith, handsomely dressed all in black, was knowledgeable about each and every dish he brought out.

The casual yet sophisticated ambience has a slightly tropical feel to it: bright green and white tiles accent the half-wall dividers; the chair backs are painted with whimsical designs; and large white market umbrellas dangle from the high vaulted ceiling of the inviting main dining area. The upstairs Fishbone Room, with its

spectacular Gulf views and vintage art posters, is ideal for private parties but serves the general population as well. Downstairs on display are New Orleans artist Bekye Fargason’s frameless painted canvases—her 30-A Before series—depicting serene scenes of the landscape along the highway on which the restaurant sits.

I tried a sampling of several dishes. First, the Mac Farms heirloom tomato and watermelon gazpacho— a refreshing, cold soup on a hot day. The arugula salad, with one shaved slice of Pecorino Romano, toasted pine nuts, and Harriet’s lemon-garlic vinaigrette, was immaculate and fresh, full of zest and peppery flavor.

While crab cakes at some restaurants tend to be overly breaded, Café Thirty-A’s jumbo-lump version was full of crabmeat and served with simple greens and a creamy mustard sauce. This appetizer was phenomenal.

The seared diver scallops—served with summer vegetables atop Israeli couscous tossed with basil and topped with beurre blanc (butter sauce)—were flawless.

And the pan-seared snapper, with a delectable crust, andouille and scallion risotto, and charred heirloom tomato salsa, was absolutely perfect.

Each dish continued to impress, from the excellent presentation to the talent shown in the taste of every bite.

p h o t o b y c h r i s h o r n a d ay

Café Thirty-A has been a favorite gathering spot along Scenic Highway 30A since it opened Memorial Day weekend back in 1995. Over a decade and a half later, this casual fine dining restaurant that serves up “contemporary eclectic” cuisine, as owner Harriet Crommelin describes it, is still going strong. Whether for a delightfully creative martini and quick bite at the bar or an outstanding meal in the main dining room, Café Thirty-A adds a bit of panache to the easygoing beach lifestyle of the area.

vie zine.com | 95

OCTOBER 19TH & 20TH

photo by eric marcus

FRIDAY OCT. 19

MARLIN GRILL

PRESENTS:

Café Thirty-A’s Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Recipe

BEER FROM

Serves 8 as an appetizer or 4 as an entrée

BBQ

» 2 pounds jumbo lump crabmeat, cartilage removed

AROUND HERE

$ 3 5 AT THE D OOR

» 3/4 cup thick mayonnaise » 1/4 cup sour cream » 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard » 1 large egg, lightly beaten » 4 tablespoons chopped scallions

SATURDAY OCT. 20

CRAFT

BEER

TASTING EVENTS PLAZA 2-6PM

$25 IN ADVANCE

$ 3 0 AT THE D OOR SAMPLE OVER

200

CRAFT BEERS!

LIVE MUSIC

ALL WEEKEND LONG!

(866) 645-4393 HAVE A BLAST & STAY STEPS AWAY FROM THE ACTION! CODE: BEER12 BAYTOWNEBEERFESTIVAL.COM

» 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning » 1/4 teaspoon salt Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray baking sheet with Pam. Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, and egg in mixing bowl until combined well. Gently fold in crab and other ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined. Gently form mixture into eight 1-inch-thick cakes and transfer to baking sheet.

Bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Run a spatula under them once or twice to make sure they’re not sticking. When the cakes are ready, place them under a preheated broiler for two to three minutes, or until lightly browned on top. Remove from broiler and let stand on baking sheet for five minutes.

Serve with lemon wedges, salad greens, and sauce of choice.

The banana beignets—three sweet pillows of sugar-crusted dough with a warm bite of banana tucked within.

T WICE TH E BEERS! T W I C E T H E FU N !

photo by eric marcus

Save room for dessert. The banana beignets, three sweet pillows of sugar-crusted dough with a warm bite of banana tucked within, all atop a bowl made from phyllo dough, is perfectly paired with a scoop of fresh, homemade vanilla and macadamia nut ice cream.

Enjoy it with coffee and Baileys Irish Cream.

Plan to pay $9 to $13 for starters, soups and salads, and $30 to $40 for entrées. The restaurant offers two-for-one entrées from 5 to 6 p.m. each night, has a kids’ menu, and serves $5 martinis on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Café Thirty-A 3899 East Scenic Highway 30-A Seagrove Beach, FL Open daily for dinner at 5 p.m.

Reservations suggested Dress is “nice” casual Cafethirtya.com | (850) 231-2166 p h o t o b y c h r i s h o r n a d ay

(866) 645-4393 HAVE A BLAST & STAY STEPS AWAY FROM THE ACTION! CODE: BEER12 BAYTOWNEBEERFESTIVAL.COM

restaurant

Fire freshness napa-style

by wendy o. dixon Photography by Romona Robbins

One thing folks expect when dining in restaurants along Highway 30A is good quality seafood. You can get that at several different places. But if you want the extra attention to detail—that little something special—book a reservation at Fire at Gulf Place.

The The restaurant originally opened in a restored turn-of-the-century firehouse in New Orleans. Fire! A Restaurant, as it was called then, was a hit on the culinary scene until it took a devastating blow from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. When the restaurant reopened, owner Brenda Darr discovered dining out was not a big priority for New Orleans residents, whose main focus was trying to rebuild their lives. In the summer of 2007, she and the majority of her team decided to pack up and drive east to Grayton Beach, where they opened Fire in a new location.

Four years later, they had outgrown that space and relocated down the street in Gulf Place. Now perched at the end of Town Center Loop in Santa Rosa Beach, Fire is an easy walk for its neighbors but a bit difficult to find if you are using an electronic navigation device. My mother and I dined there on a Friday night and were thirty minutes late for our reservation, but no worries, said manager Mario McNally.

Named a Diners’ Choice winner in 2012 by OpenTable.com, Fire now has a loyal following in the 30A community. The bar area welcomes patrons in, and tall windows provide views of the sidewalk patios. The dining area is sophisticated and comfortable, and the tables are set with meticulous attention to detail, with stemware and flatware in perfect alignment.

farm-to-table concept worked well; she decided she wanted to implement those practices here. “When you are there, you realize even the winemakers are just farmers trying to make a living,” she says. “Here, we really want to support local farmers, and all the fish is straight from the Gulf.” The restaurant gets most of its vegetables from Dragonfly Farms, which grows organic produce. “We make our own sauces, dressings, stocks, and ice cream.” She adds, “We don’t buy anything frozen. It’s all fresh.”

For executive chef Chris Mongogna, Jr., the goal is to make a great memory with each dish that comes out of his kitchen. “To me, food is a gathering point for your memories,” he says. “And when all is said and done, your memories are the only things you take with you when you go.”

Karen noted my mother’s allergy to shellfish and then verbally informed the chef, just to be safe. We were served warm, homemade cornbread with butter while we decided what to order. Mom ordered the soup du jour, a minestrone created by sous chef Camille Withall.

Before even tasting a bite, we were treated with exceptional service by the hospitable staff. Karen Ellenberg, our server, provided the wine list, which contains only American wines. “They are mostly California wines,” says Darr, “but we’re working toward getting wines from every state that produces good quality wines. We’ve also got some from Oregon, Virginia, and New York that are really good.”

The restaurant’s approach emphasizes fresh, local, and organic. Darr, who visits California frequently, was inspired by trips to Napa, where she noticed the

vie zine.com | 99

“To me, food is a gathering point for your memories ... and when all is said and done, your memories are the only things you take with you when you go.”

A meal in itself, Fire’s minestrone is a perfect blend of savory and spicy. The soup has a roasted tomato base with green and yellow summer squashes, mushrooms, peppers, tomato chunks, and fresh ricotta cheese.

The Southern mixed greens salad has the added treats of sweet corn, black-eyed peas, tasso, fried okra, and cheddar cheese—all topped with the house-made bourbon–Vidalia onion vinaigrette.

Tomato lovers will want to experience the heirloom tomato stack, made with fresh, regionally grown tomatoes stacked with herb-crusted house-made mozzarella and drizzled with tomato oil and a balsamic vinegar reduction.

For the entrée, I ordered the chef ’s choice: a perfectly cooked mahi-mahi served with red potato Cajun mash, corn maque choux, and rémoulade sauce. Mom tried the grilled black grouper with white bean and okra succotash topped with Florida tomato butter.

Although we were stuffed, head chef Mongogna brought us a sampling of his desserts, all homemade, with a port wine to enhance the sweet treats. The white chocolate cannoli with champagne-macerated berries, Mongogna’s grandmother’s recipe, was divine. The organic blueberry sorbet was tangy and refreshing. And the sticky toffee cake topped with crème caramel and toasted pecans was a rich finish to the meal.

Elegant yet kid friendly, Fire is ideal for special occasions but great also for a weeknight. Sunday brunch offers endless champagne, as well as a wide selection of breakfast items.

100 | September /O ctober 2012

fire’s minestrone recipe serves 10

» 2 medium carrots, peeled » 2 zucchini » 2 yellow squashes » 1 red bell pepper » 1 yellow bell pepper » 2 eggplants » 2 cups button mushrooms » 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil » 1 large can San Marzano tomatoes (about 3 quarts) » 2 quarts chicken stock » 3 cloves garlic, minced » 1 yellow onion, chopped » 1 tablespoon dried oregano » 1 tablespoon dried basil » 2 fresh sprigs thyme » 1 bay leaf » Salt and pepper to taste » Ricotta cheese » Basil leaves, torn or cut in small pieces (for garnish) Slice each of the first six ingredients in half. Evenly arrange them on a sheet pan along with the mushrooms.

Drizzle vegetables with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast vegetables for about 10 minutes in a preheated 450-degree oven. Set aside.

In a large pot, sauté garlic and onion with a little olive oil. Add dried herbs. When onion is almost translucent, add canned tomatoes, chicken stock, thyme, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper.

Simmer for about 20 minutes.

When the roasted vegetables are cool enough to handle, cut them up into half-inch cubes. Add vegetables to soup and let simmer for another 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper again, if needed.

Serve soup in bowls, topping each serving with a tablespoon of ricotta cheese and some fresh basil.

Restaurant Fire at Gulf Place 7 Town Center Loop, Unit C-11 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida Open for dinner Monday–Saturday 5–10 p.m. and for Sunday brunch 11 a.m.–2 p.m. (closed after 2 p.m.)

Restaurantfire.com • (850) 267-9020 vie zine.com | 101

102 | September /O ctober 2012

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Holy Day in the Deep South Football, Tailgates, and Good Ole Southern Rivalries Introduction By Scott McKinney

Photo credit: Š Aflo/Corbis

I

f college football is truly a religion in the Deep South, then Saturdays are officially holy days. Nowhere else in the world can you find more passionate fans when it comes to their allegiances; it’s born in our culture— sharpened in blood, steeped in tradition.

When crisp, fall Saturdays roll around, everything comes to a screeching halt. Family plans, work, even weddings. Nothing is more sacred than an autumn Saturday in the Deep South. Nothing. Whether you are in Atlanta or Memphis, Destin or Knoxville, Saturday’s are untouchable.

When Mark and Elizabeth Cummings of Valdosta, Georgia, decided to get married, their families were thrilled. After all, the couple had dated for eleven years, going all the way back to their days as school sweethearts in fifth grade. Joy filled their lives and homes, and the promise of a fruitful, successful marriage was exciting.

However, they soon realized that planning a wedding in the fall could be tricky, even downright painful.

“Both of my parents are graduates of the University of Georgia and are die-hard Bulldog fans,” Mark said. “Elizabeth’s family are all Auburn alumni.

When we told them we wanted to get married in October, it was almost as if you could hear the breath come out of everyone in the room. I think we would have received less of a reaction if we had told them we were pregnant.”

Fortunately for the Cummingses and their families, they found a Saturday when both Georgia and Auburn had open dates, and they held their wedding that day. “But, it really was touch and go for a while,” Elizabeth said laughing.

Welcome to the Deep South. We believe in God, family, and college football, and oftentimes, depending on the time of the year, not necessarily in that order. Careful consideration is a must when planning anything in the fall. Weddings are no exception.

Our culture is as unique as redeye gravy on cathead biscuits. Hank Williams, Jr., perhaps captured it best when he sang, “We say grace, and we say ma’am.

If you ain’t into that, we don’t give a damn.” Being from the South—the Deep South—means you drink sweet tea, you cook with Crisco when you fry chicken, you know your manners, and that you also “declare” for a college team soon after you are first able to walk and talk.

Shelby and John DuBose of Niceville, Florida, have attended 177 consecutive Alabama football games, dating back over fifteen years. Whether the Crimson Tide is at home or on the road, the DuBose family vie zine.com | 107

will be there. Why, you might ask, would someone drive hundreds of miles every weekend for a football game? The DuBoses must drive five hours just for a home game in Tuscaloosa.

For the love of the game. For the love of the school.

For the love of the Deep South way of life.

“And, we are not even close to having gone to the most games in a row,” John added. “There are lots of Bama fans who have been to many more games in a row than we have been. We do it because we love Alabama. We bleed Crimson. We enjoy ourselves, we enjoy visiting with our Alabama friends, and of course, winning a few national championships along the way doesn’t hurt.”

up the supplies and heading to Oxford to root on his alma mater. Zapata and tens of thousands of Ole Miss fans just like him turn the Ole Miss campus into a tailgating tent city during Rebel home games.

Ole Miss has long been considered one of the best college football tailgating experiences in the country, and for good reason. Parade Magazine named this charming Old South campus one of its top tailgating destinations in August of 2011.

Winning is important, but Southern college football fans find winning is simply icing on their cake.

The important part is the socializing.

“We gather in the Grove early Saturday morning, most times before sunrise, and just visit with old friends,” Zapata said. “We know our football team has not been the best the last few years, but we still anxiously await the weekends when we can head back to campus.”

A popular item at the Ole Miss Bookstore in Oxford, Mississippi, is a lithograph that reads, “Ole Miss—We may not win every game, but we ain’t never lost a party.”

Family bliss is often centered around how teams do on Saturday. Most homes are one-team supporters with everyone under the same roof sharing the same fanship. But, it doesn’t always work out that way.

For Niceville Family Dentistry senior partner Dr. Ralf Zapata, a typical fall weekend means loading

Two-term Destin mayor Craig Barker is a graduate of the University of Florida. His wife, Callie, is a

108 | September /O ctober 2012

graduate of LSU. They have been married for ten years, and early on in the marriage, Craig admits, the competitiveness was there.

“We learned early on that our teams are typically pretty good and we try to have a good time, but you can always tell when its Florida-LSU week around the house,” he said. “We have a few inside bets.”

In spite of the rivalry, the Barkers have found a way to enjoy their passion for college football.

“We both live very stressful lives, so game day is really special in our household. We wake up on Saturday, put a Boston butt on the grill, turn off the cell phones—it’s really refreshing and a passion for both of us. I always have an excited feeling in the pit of my stomach when the Gators play and Callie gets adrenalized when LSU is playing,” Craig added.

Not every marriage has been as smooth as the Barker’s. Troy and Susan Griffin of Montgomery have a love-hate relationship. He is a 1985 graduate of Alabama. She is a 1987 Auburn alumni. They love each other dearly and have four children.

Where else can you go but the Deep South and see a college football game on Saturday and hear about the results during the Sunday sermon?

“There is nothing in this world I would not do for my husband,” Susan said. “But, when it’s Auburn-Alabama week, that’s different. I don’t cook, clean, or do much of anything. It’s every person for themselves that week.

And, whichever team loses the game, the other person typically does not speak for a week.”

“Eventually everything passes and settles back down,” she added with a smile. “But, this is AuburnAlabama. It’s bigger than life.”

Legend has it that many relationships and friendships never find the common ground of mutual respect the Barkers and Griffins enjoy.

There are stories of season tickets being fought over tooth and nail in a divorce settlement.

An old Birmingham story tells of a neighbor selling his dream home to get away from his arrogant Auburn neighbor. Yes, he was an Alabama fan.

The rivalries know no boundaries. They pit brother against brother, husband against wife, and parent against child. They can even be found in the pulpit on Sundays. Where else can you go but the Deep South and see a college football game on Saturday and hear about the results during the Sunday sermon?

In the South, we name our children after things important to us like “Dixie,” “Bear,” “Tiger,” or even “Gator.” Our lives revolve around Saturday. A funeral home director in Marianna, Florida, even tells of a time when a dearly departed had his services delayed because his widow was afraid no one would show up if the funeral were held at the same time as the Florida-Florida State game that day.

One interesting aspect to being a college football fan in the Deep South is that you never have to actually attend college to be a dyed-in-the-wool fan. Truth be known, most of the fan bases at Southern colleges are not alumni. But, don’t question their passion or else you’ll get a nice heaping dose of why he is not only the biggest fan ever of his school, but also why you must have some Yankee blood somewhere in your line.

Saturday is holy day here among the magnolias and pines. The cathedrals are places like Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, the Swamp in Gainesville, or Death Valley in Clemson. They take your breath away when you first walk through the tunnel on a Saturday afternoon.

Southern college football fans may not remember the birth dates of their children, but they can tell

you who played quarterback in the 1983 GeorgiaAuburn game and the critical turning point of the contest. They may forget their wedding anniversary, but they can tell you the name of every football coach at their school for the last fifty years and what ultimately caused their demise.

Game day in the Deep South is not just one day. It’s a week. It’s an entire season. Heck, it’s a year-round way of life. One may graduate from a Southern university, but one never really leaves it. Being a college football fan in the Deep South is about passion, pure unbridled passion. Game day is not a day for us—it’s a way of life!

Scott McKinney is the host of Southern Sports Tonight, the radio show he started twelve years ago.

SST can be heard each weekday from 2 to 6 p.m. on WTKE 100.3 FM in Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Pensacola, and on 93.5 FM in Panama City. He has also worked as a sideline and feature reporter for ESPN’s College Football and has published a syndicated column on college football. Having lived in Destin for the last ten years, he enjoys spending time with the love of his life, Robin, and their six children, and church activities in his spare time. vie zine.com | 109

University of Florida vs.

Florida State University

By EmmEtt S. HigHtowEr

Deep in the heart of Florida a rivalry exists that defines a different version of good ol’ Southern football. Since the first day the two schools met on the gridiron, the Florida Gators and the Florida State Seminoles have been engaged in a rivalry that splits the Sunshine State like day divides night. Florida versus Florida State. Or, if you are a Seminole fan, Florida State versus Florida. Yes, it matters which team is listed first—that’s how deep the hatred runs in this Sunshine State rivalry.

To understand the depths of the Gator-Seminole rivalry, one must study the history of the two schools.

Dating back to when Florida State was known as the Florida State College for Women and Florida was known as the University of the State of Florida, this rivalry has always been fiercely contested and fought with passion. Whether on the football field or in recruiting professors and students to their respective campuses, the rivalry between Florida and Florida State has always been intense.

Ironically, the two schools did not meet on the football field until 1958 for a variety of reasons—wars and the competition for state funding were all determents to having the two schools compete. And, neither school wanted to contribute one dollar to the other by playing games in either Gainesville or Tallahassee, and neither wanted to contribute to the local economy of the enemy.

Obviously, heckling is as big a part of the rivalry as the game itself. Florida State went through a period during which it was the Florida State College 110 | September /O ctober 2012

for Women, which makes for extreme heckling from Florida fans, even to this day. Many Gators claim they do not see a threat from a “women-only school.” Florida State fans throw it back when they ask how it feels to lose to a “women-only school.”

Florida State fans claim the only sellouts in the Swamp (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium) occur when the Seminoles come to Gainesville. The Gator fans give it back to the ’Noles, claiming they order their fast food from Florida State graduates. Despite all the heckling, Florida and Florida State have competed on the football field fifty-six different times over the course of history with the Gators leading the series 33–21–2. But in recent years, thanks to legendary coach Bobby Bowden, the Seminoles lead the series 19–18–1. Not only are statewide bragging rights at stake when the Seminoles and Gators do battle, there are typically National Championship implications with their annual matchup. Florida and Florida State have both captured national titles since 1990 and this late November contest usually carries with it some positioning for Bowl Championship Series bowl games.

for tailgating spots, the Bull Gator Club creates a luxury RV park beside the stadium, and every building along University Avenue is decked out in orange and blue. The whole town becomes a tailgate. No one walking up and down University Avenue goes hungry: a simple “Go Gators” is all it takes for most to get a bite to eat—no matter what colors you might be wearing at the moment.

Games alternate every year between Tallahassee and Gainesville; the upcoming 2012 game is scheduled in the state capital. Since the game is transient, tailgating and game days can be varied experiences. Tailgating in Gainesville means floods of people wearing orange and blue, vehicles parked in any open space available, and classic barbecue on many a grill. Everyone in Gainesville eats and breathes the Gators—when it comes to tailgating, many claim there is no competition to Florida’s rich traditions as the town transforms for the game-day weekend. People camp out around the campus

It’s not easy being a Gator in Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee or a Seminole in the Swamp in Gainesville. Nonetheless, regardless of what team you root for, the Florida-Florida State game is something that every football fan should experience. The passion and intensity are incomparable, and the memories will last a lifetime!

Florida State, to be sure, has its own unique tailgating traditions, and a similar game-day atmosphere can be found on all the trails that lead to the stadium.

The sound of the Seminole War Chant grows louder as one nears the stadium. Parking lots filled with tailgaters and their pregame festivities surround the stadium on all sides. And if you are wearing garnet and gold, invitations for a bite to eat or a cold drink are plentiful. While many of the Seminole Boosters tailgate around campus, more tailgating can be found across the street in students’ houses and apartments, such as Indian Village, where fans converge until the sound of the Seminole beating drum leads them all down the warpath to the stadium.

Photo by Eric Zamora

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17-2 Uptown Grayton Circle, Santa Rosa Beach, Fl 32459 • 850.213.0000 • q-tile.Com

Auburn University vs.

University of Alabama The Iron Bowl

By LaurEn JuStiSS

Much has been written about the Iron Bowl, widely considered the most hostile rivalry in the country.

Should you meet someone from the state of Alabama who says this rivalry doesn’t matter or that they pull for both schools, they’re lying. At some point, very early in life, one must choose: War Eagle or Roll Tide.

Still, the rivalry does not stop at the state line. Fans are scattered across the nation, trying to convince all around them that theirs is the better team.

The students of Auburn University, then known as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama, and the University of Alabama first played one another in 1893. Auburn won 32–22. The first of many disagreements, Auburn viewed the game as the first of the ’93 season; Alabama called it the last game of the ’92 season. The seeds of what is now the most heated rivalry were planted. As college football lacked the organization it has today, there were many disputes, causing the series to stop in 1907. Forty years and a generation later, the state legislature threatened to withhold state funding unless there was a full athletic program between the two schools, so both finally agreed to commence play. In 1948, Alabama won 55–0, the most lopsided score in the history of the series. Over the years there’ve been countless memorable games. For the past three years, the winner of the Iron Bowl has gone on to win the national championship, which speaks volumes for two relatively small schools in a relatively small state.

Alabama leads the series 41–34–1, but Auburn’s record for the last thirty years has them leading 17– 13. Alabama racked up nine straight under Coach 112 | September /O ctober 2012

An Iron Bowl victory earns bragging rights of utmost importance to all involved. From game one of a season, and all year long, one thought remains: Iron Bowl. Every game day is an experience but none compare to this. It’s hard to think of a time when a title, individual award, or perfect season was not on the line, giving the opposing team extra incentive to prevent it. It’s all captured that Saturday in late November. Calling a game-day atmosphere “electric” seems a cliché until one has experienced Auburn vs. Alabama. At times, the bitterness has been unhealthy, but for the most part, it’s like an old friend or neighbor you temporarily love to hate.

Each school has a spirited tradition for its team’s entry into the stadium. Auburn has Tiger Walk, which includes the band, the cheerleaders, and the mascot, Aubie, all marching the Tigers into JordanHare Stadium. Alabama has the Elephant Stomp: Big Al (Alabama’s mascot) and the Million Dollar Band escort the Crimson Tide into Bryant-Denny Stadium. Once inside, Auburn ignites with the pregame eagle flight, while Bama plays clips of some of Bryant’s greatest speeches. The spirit also comes through in game-day clothes: there’s the well-known houndstooth that has swept Bama and Auburn’s burnt orange and navy attire, from casual T-shirts and khakis to boutique style dresses. All have shakers in hand. Each game sparks memories and debates for years to come. By the final play, though all are exhausted, most still find their way back to tailgate into the night to celebrate—or commiserate.

Long before kickoff, the tailgating takes place. Part of the football experience in the South, tailgating is a long-standing tradition that brings together fans from all over to socialize, eat, drink, and pass the time. Iron Bowl tailgating is the final chance for last year’s victor to brag, and everyone is on edge.

Emotions run high as everyone knows there are only four quarters of football ahead.

Regardless of your own college affiliation, it’s worth a trip to an Iron Bowl to see it for yourself.

Tickets aren’t cheap and the intensity may surpass your comfort level, but you’ll gain new friends and experience one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. And who knows—maybe you’ll be wearing burnt orange or houndstooth to watch the Iron Bowl the following November.

Paul “Bear” Bryant in the ’70s, while Auburn earned six straight in the ’90s. That said, no matter what record or title one has, the other always finds a way to one-up as a means to brag why their team is best.

Auburn tailgating involves students scattered all over campus with alumni and loyal fans set up with tents and RVs, some arriving days in advance. It’s a vast family reunion of fans ready for the game.

Alabama is known for tailgates in the Quad or on the lawns of Greek houses. It’s a great party, where fans mingle from tent to tent, reminiscing about the days of the Bear and anticipating kickoff.

Photo by Todd Van Emst

University of Georgia vs. Georgia Tech

By SaLLiE w. BoyLES

Seventy miles apart, the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens and the Georgia Institute of Technology (Tech) in Atlanta share a rivalry known as “clean, old-fashioned hate,” which started when the ball teams first clashed in 1893. Meeting on the field for the 106th time in 2012, the Georgia Bulldogs—or “Dawgs”—and Yellow Jackets are like neighborhood kids who play just to fight. The rivalry sometimes even runs in families. In such cases, to keep the peace, football talk is off-limits!

Supposedly, UGA fans set the tone during that first game by heckling their opponents, thereby inspiring the lyrics for Georgia Tech’s fight song, “Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech.” The lines referencing UGA say: “… if I had a son, sir, I’ll tell you what he’d do— He would yell, ‘To hell with Georgia!’ like his daddy used to do.”

Tech fans further refer to UGA as “the cesspool of the South.”

In retaliation, Georgia fans alter their sanctioned fight song’s ending, substituting “G-E-O-R-G-I-A” with “And to hell with Georgia Tech!”

Georgia alumni take bites at Georgia Tech, located near Coca-Cola’s headquarters, calling it “the joke by the Coke.” Stinging back, Tech grads say, “What do UGA graduates call Georgia Tech alumni? Boss!”

Who’s right?

114 | September /O ctober 2012

Don’t ask the opponents, who dispute everything, even their win-loss record. Georgia excludes their WWII losses, claiming a wartime disadvantage between their diminished male enrollment and Georgia Tech’s healthy all-male Naval ROTC population. Ultimately, UGA triumphs with 61 wins, 39 losses, and 5 ties, but … their games don’t count in the conference!

Both schools were charter members of the SEC in 1932, but Georgia Tech, now in the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) resigned in 1963. When the Yellow Jackets attempted to return to the SEC, UGA allegedly blackballed them—yet another reason to hate the Bulldogs!

Given that UGA has won ten games in the past eleven years, why keep score?

Mike Alexander of Lawrenceville, Georgia, who graduated from Tech in 1980 with a Civil Engineering degree says, “The Georgia fan will tell you that it’s no longer a rivalry. It’s not, until we beat them and their coach is chased out of town!”

Asserting that UGA takes such pride in recruiting top athletes, Alexander admits that a victory over UGA is particularly sweet. “Privately, many of us would rather beat Georgia than win the ACC.” Georgia fans either rub it in or convey nonchalance.

A dentist who practices in Duluth, Georgia, Jim Stevens earned his undergraduate degree from UGA in 1977. A Bulldog since tailgating with his parents in the 1960s, he invites plenty of Georgia Tech friends to his tailgates every other year, when games are in Athens. “We don’t sit together during the game,” Stevens says, “but before and after, we’re all friends.”

When the Georgia-Georgia Tech game packs Sanford Stadium in Athens, the populace of over 92,000 fans creates what would be the seventh largest city in Georgia. The sheer number of partyers compels the university to enforce unpopular tailgating rules—like no loud music before 7:00 a.m.!

The Stevens family, therefore, take their multifamily tailgate to South Campus, where regulations are relaxed. “Up to seventy people from three generations join us,” says Stevens, who often serves Brunswick stew. Cohost Dale Dubose mans the grill. “If the game is late in the day, Dale grills a whole pig.”

Their setup is elaborate. “With three tents, we probably look like we’re holding a prayer meeting,” Stevens describes. “Dale brings a generator and bigscreen TV and comfortably watches the game from the tailgate.” Win or lose, the game is their excuse to gather everyone. “If not for Football Saturday, we wouldn’t see each other,” says Stevens.

Donna Holden of Atlanta, a 1985 UGA graduate with a BFA degree, agrees. “For us, it’s all about family,” she says. Meeting up with her Augusta in-laws, she has tailgated for twenty years with her husband, Bill, a Vanderbilt alumnus who was raised a Bulldog.

Despite added restrictions on UGA’s historic North Campus, the Holdens faithfully tailgate in a stately area that others (generally politicians) attempt to appropriate. Consequently, Team Holden arrives early to claim it, but happily shares when space permits.

“About twelve years ago, we invited a man sitting alone nearby to join us,” Holden says. “As it turned

out, Merv was waiting for the rest of his party to arrive, and our merged tailgate grew to forty regulars!” Visitors include student friends, who drop over after leaving their frat parties. “They scavenge for leftovers!”

Decorations in UGA’s red and black make everything appetizing, as do “Go Dawgs!” specialty M&M’s, a Holden tailgate staple. “It’s all red and black at UGA,” she says, adding that Dawgs occasionally tolerate a splash of old gold and white, as when friendly Yellow Jackets buzz by.

Photo Courtesy of Georgia Tech

A culinary aficionado, Holden coordinates each themed menu. “I email everyone to plan what we’ll each bring.” Cheese grits casserole is among her favorite tailgate dishes. “It’s easy to transport and goes with any menu—from Low-Country boil to brunch.”

Clemson University vs.

University of South Carolina

By Sandra woodward

A few historical facts are worth remembering to put the football rivalry between Clemson University and the University of South Carolina in perspective: 1. South Carolina was the scene of more battles in the American Revolutionary War than any other of the thirteen colonies.

2. The Palmetto State was also the scene of the first shots fired in the Civil War. 3. Clemson University, née Clemson Agricultural College, was created as a direct result of certain state legislators’ displeasure with South Carolina College, later known as the University of South Carolina.

Judging from history, citizens of the Palmetto State are always ready for a good fight. Add to that the political divisions surrounding the events of Clemson’s creation, and therein lie the makings of a blood feud deeper than the roots of stadium turf and the longest-lasting of any football rivalry in the South.

Clemson and South Carolina met for the first time in 1896, but in 1902, a postgame brawl resulted in suspension of the series until 1909. The matchup has been played every year since. Nowadays, the game alternates between Death Valley, a.k.a.

Clemson Memorial Stadium, and Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia. Until 1960, however, the game was played on the Thursday of the South Carolina State Fair. Dubbed “Big Thursday,” the game garnered a national following because of the intensity of the rivalry and the fact that it was the 116 | September /O ctober 2012

only college game in the nation played that day. But in South Carolina, national attention was secondary. The game was—and still is—all about bragging rights. Schools and businesses closed. Fans of both teams streamed into the capital from the mountains to the coast, and those who couldn’t attend listened on the radio. Every person in the state took sides but one: by tradition, the governor watched the first half of the game on one side of the stadium, crossing the field at halftime to enjoy the second half with constituents on the other side.

Clemson leads the series 65–40–4, but Carolina has won the last three consecutive games. It is anybody’s game. The rivalry has spawned off-field activities perhaps even more intense than the game itself. Carolina students may burn a Clemson Tiger in effigy, and a mock funeral for the Gamecock has been a hallmark of Clemson’s pregame revelry since the 1940s. Various statues have been defaced, including that of a Confederate general on the State House grounds in Columbia. In true war hero fashion, the general managed to evade the enemy, but his poor (bronze) horse’s nether regions were discovered at sunrise on game day to have been painted Clemson orange. Carolina fans pulled off a beauty of a prank in 1961, when members of a fraternity dressed as Clemson players and managed to make it onto the field for pregame warm-ups to the cheers of the Clemson fans, who realized they had been duped when their “players” started running into each other, falling down, and exhibiting other unathletic behavior. Larry Williams, coauthor with Travis Haney of Classic Clashes of the Carolina-Clemson Football Rivalry: A State of Disunion, is a Carolina graduate who has covered

Clemson football as a sportswriter for years. He said until he researched the book, he didn’t realize the depth of feeling involved.

“South Carolina is a small state, and there are people who go to church together, work together, who grew up together, who are on opposite sides. There is constant smack talk all year long.”

Still, two relatively new traditions illustrate the positive side of the competitive spirit between the two schools. Each year, members of the Sigma Nu fraternity run the game ball from the visiting school to the home team’s field. And the ClemsonCarolina Blood Drive, sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, is a competition to see which school can donate the most blood.

Everybody wins that one.

Once a necessity, tailgating has become a social event that binds friends and families through the rituals of favorite foods and beverages, games, and even favorite stories repeated through the years. In urban Columbia, tailgating activities are centered around the state fairgrounds next to Williams-Brice Stadium, where a unique option is the “Cockaboose Railroad,” upscale tailgating condos created from railroad cabooses. Practically every square inch of Clemson’s rural lakeside campus is devoted to tailgating. (Those who opt not to tailgate can visit the Esso Club, noted by national sportswriters as one of the nation’s best sports bars.)

In Clemson, even the food reflects the rivalry. Tiger fans may eat barbecue and burgers the rest of the season, but on the day the team faces the Carolina Gamecocks, everybody eats chicken!

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University of Mississippi vs.

Mississippi State University The Egg Bowl By adam ruff

Mississippi is a tight-knit state. People work and live together and attend church with one another every Sunday. And for the most part, Southern hospitality and manners ensure they get along well. But one day out of every year, that bond is tested. That day is Thanksgiving (or the Saturday after it), when the annual gridiron clash between the state’s flagship university and its land grant institution occurs.

Located a hundred miles apart, the University of Mississippi (or, to many, beloved Ole Miss) and Mississippi State, or “State” to most fans, will meet this November for the 109th time. The annual game is tied for the fifteenth most-played rivalry in college football history. Ole Miss holds a 60–42–6 edge in the series, although since 1986, the series is tied at thirteen apiece, with no team winning more than three in a row in that time.

The Battle for the Golden Egg, more affectionately known as the Egg Bowl, first happened in 1927, a year after a melee broke out in State’s Starkville home following an Ole Miss victory. Ole Miss fans, excited for their first series victory in seventeen years, stormed the field, where they were met by chair-wielding Mississippi A&M (the name was changed to Mississippi State in 1932) fans defending their own goalposts. Vowing this would not happen again, the respective student bodies worked together to create the Golden Egg trophy to be awarded to the winner of the yearly contest.

There have been many memorable games in the 108 contests, but perhaps none more so than in 1983, 118 | September /O ctober 2012

a game known in the series as “the Immaculate Deflection.” Down 24–23 with seconds left to play, Mississippi State lined up for a twenty-sevenyard game-winning field goal. The kick was right down the middle and appeared to have plenty of distance until a forty-mile-per-hour wind gust came and knocked the ball back, short of the goal posts. The Rebels would run out the clock to claim the upset victory.

Of late, however, the Maroon and White have taken control in the series. Coach Dan Mullen was brought in to revive a struggling program, and step one was to never again lose to “the school up north.” To the delight of many State fans, Mullen has made it a point to never utter the name Ole Miss. (And so far he has not lost to them either.)

After an understandable period of anger, this intended insult has mostly run off the backs of most Ole Miss players and fans. During SEC Media Days, Charles Sawyer, Ole Miss’s starting safety, put it best when asked how he felt about being called “the school up north” by saying, “We say ‘Mississippi State.’ We’re grown men. We treat people with respect.”

Traditions run deep for these two Mississippi universities. At Mississippi State, the ringing of the cowbell is revered by Bulldog fans. It is a tradition unique to the school: the cowbells create a loud and intimidating atmosphere when the Bulldogs pull off a great play or score a touchdown. Ask Ole Miss fans, however, and they’ll say the cowbells are an unfair advantage. But to State fans, they are a tradition near and dear to the hearts that bleed maroon and white.

Venture over to Oxford, and not an hour will go by without the chant of Hotty Toddy ringing through the Grove, the stadium, or any public venue inhabited by Rebel fans. Often prompted by the Pride of the South’s rendition of “Dixie” (an unofficial fight song of Ole Miss), Hotty Toddy goes like this: Are you ready?

Hell yes! Damn Right!

Hotty Toddy, Gosh almighty Who the hell are we – Hey! Flim Flam, Bim Bam Ole Miss By Damn!

But no tradition runs as deep in the hearts of the fans as some good ole Mississippi tailgating.

The Grove, a 10-acre area located in the heart of campus shaded by dozens of oak and magnolia trees, is the tailgating home for Ole Miss fans and, according to most who have visited, the premium tailgating spot in the country. Sports Illustrated ranked it the number one tailgating spot; ESPN, number two. The Grove is known for its elaborate tent decor: ornate centerpieces, sterling silver, and chandeliers are more the norm than the exception.

Ole Miss fans, clad in their best sundresses and pearls or slacks and sport coats, go from tent to tent, sipping cocktails, savoring Southern delicacies, and catching up with old acquaintances to combat the pregame nerves. And don’t be surprised to find private bands housed underneath the larger tailgating tents to celebrate a post-game victory.

While it’s the Grove that gets all the acclaim, State fans will argue that the Junction at least rivals, if not

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These differences drive the animosity between the two schools and make for one heck of an atmosphere on that first weekend after Thanksgiving when the Bulldogs meet the Rebels. And while the Egg Bowl might not be the longest rivalry, or the most well known, chat with people in the state of Mississippi and you won’t convince anyone that it’s not the best.

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beats, the Grove. State’s Junction is a large, treeless lawn that sits right outside the stadium. The atmosphere is much more casual in nature, which suits State fans just fine, but it smells sweetly of bourbon and barbecue just the same. What it lacks in the ornate flair that Ole Miss fans pride, it more than makes up for in spirit, especially with the success of the football team over the last couple of years.

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By Sandra Woodward

On any given Saturday in the fall, twO Of the SOuth’S favOrite SubjectS— food and football—come together in an elaborate spectacle of Southern hospitality. From NCAA Division One institutions to smaller schools, students, alumni, and fans of all forms pack up their portable grills and converge on campuses across the South to watch their teams compete on the football field and to participate in the sports fan’s second-favorite pastime: tailgating.

Tailgating may not have originated in the South—supposedly Princeton and Rutgers claim that honor with their 1869 first-ever football matchup. But Southerners wasted no time in imparting signature style and grace to something as mundane as eating out of the trunk of a car (or from a horsedrawn wagon in the early days).

As difficult as it may be for today’s college students to fathom, at one time tailgating was an act of necessity, not entertainment. Before interstate highways and their ubiquitous fast-food outlets, an infinite variety of readily available food at a reasonable price could not always be assured. Travelers had to plan for the unexpected, and a trip of even half a day might well involve packing at least one meal. But what began as a practical solution to the problem of preventing starvation has evolved into a popular-culture

phenomenon, with even the home team’s local fans schlepping food across town just to be a part of the experience.

As these pages illustrate, the fans define what makes a proper tailgate: one may be formal, with elegant tableware and gourmet-quality food and wine, while another may be strictly burgers, brats, and beer. In the long run, it matters little whether the tailgate menu features hot dogs and beans or pâté and champagne. Tailgating is not really about the food, although that may be a secret best kept from the cook. It’s just another excuse for conviviality, for connecting with friends old and new in the college-campus setting that promises—and delivers, if only for a day—the energy and excitement of perpetual youth.

Bon appétit!

vie zine.com | 123

Bloody Mary Gazpacho

By Susan Benton of 30A Eats IngredIents 1 quart low-sodium, no-MSG tomato juice 5 whole Roma tomatoes, stemmed, seeded, and diced 2 large celery stalks, finely diced 1 hothouse cucumber, seeds removed, finely diced 1 whole zucchini, diced 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely diced 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced 1 jalape単o pepper, stemmed, seeded, and minced 2 large garlic cloves, minced Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lime 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, or to taste 2 teaspoons kosher salt 6 dashes of Tabasco sauce, or to taste 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped (hold aside for serving) optIonal garnIshes Favorite vodka Fresh lime wedges 2 ripe avocados (peeled, pitted, and cubed) dIrectIons In the bowl of a food processor or in a blender, combine the minced garlic and jalape単o with half the red onion, half the bell pepper, half the cucumber, half the tomato, half the zucchini, half the celery, half the tomato juice, olive oil, white wine vinegar, Tabasco, and a dash of salt. Pulse until all ingredients are blended well; mixture will have a nice speckled, colorful texture. Pour into a large bowl and combine all the other ingredients except the optional garnishes. Stir together, adding salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, as it needs to be served cold. Remove soup from fridge, and stir in cilantro. Check seasonings to taste one last time. If serving as a soup, ladle into bowls and drizzle with a little olive oil, garnishing with avocado. To serve with vodka, mix 1 cup gazpacho with 1 ounce vodka. Pour into a glass or plastic cup and serve cold with a fresh lime wedge as a garnish.

Serves 8

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Heavenly Cheese Grits From the Atlanta Junior League cookbook True Grits (Thanks, AJL!) IngredIents 4 cups boiling water 1 cup quick-cooking grits 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 6 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 1/2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce 1 1/4 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 1 tablespoon sherry 1 egg, beaten dIrectIons Combine the boiling water, grits, and salt in a saucepan. Cook, covered, over low heat for 5 minutes or until water is absorbed. Stir in the butter, Worcestershire and hot pepper sauces, 1 cup of cheese, and sherry. Fold in the egg until blended. Spoon into a greased 2 1/2-quart baking dish; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour or

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Sandwiches

By Molly Carter of Duchess of Fork

until bubbly.

Note: May prepare 1 day in advance and refrigerate.

Bring to room temperature and bake.

IngredIents 100 tiny twist pretzels 1 cup creamy peanut butter 3/4 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup powdered sugar 1 box semisweet baking chocolate dIrectIons Mix peanut butter, brown sugar, and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until ingredients are well combined. Sandwich a heaping teaspoon of peanut butter filling between two pretzels. Store sandwiches in the fridge for an hour or two. Melt semisweet chocolate according to package directions. Dip sandwiches into melted chocolate, covering only half of the sandwich. Place sandwiches on wax paper and store in fridge until chocolate hardens and you’re ready to eat.

Makes 50 sandwiches

vie zine.com | 125

Carolina Game Day Chicken Wings Serve with celery sticks and Clemson Blue Cheese Dip, and the Clemson Purple and Orange Coleslaw. (For the above-mentioned recipes, please see the full recipe section at viezine.com/vie/2012/08/tailgaterecipes.)

Note: Some cooks prefer to prepare these in advance at home, but they can be cooked on the tailgate grill according to safe procedures for grilling poultry.

Keep chicken refrigerated until ready to cook.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

4–5 pounds chicken drumettes

Rub 1/2 cup chili powder 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon celery salt 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) Rinse drumettes, leaving skin intact. Pat completely dry with paper towels and set aside. Refrigerate if not cooking immediately.

Brunswick Stew

By Ann Dubose IngredIents 6 cups chopped cooked chicken (white and dark meat from 2 whole rotisserie chickens) 2 cups chicken broth

In a large bowl, combine all rub ingredients and mix well. Pour mixture

3 pounds ground chuck

into a sealable plastic food storage or freezer bag. Add drumettes, a few at

1 pound ground pork

a time, to the bag and toss to coat thoroughly. Remove from bag, place in

1 large onion, chopped

a large baking dish and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30–35 minutes

1 50.5-ounce bottle of ketchup

or until well browned.

3 28-ounce cans (about 10 cups) Hunt’s diced tomatoes 4 cups fresh yellow or white corn kernels (about 12 ears)

For Gamecocks fans, we have a beautiful recipe for USC Garnet and Black Cupcakes that can be found at the full recipe section at viezine.com/vie/2012/08/tailgaterecipes.

2 cans creamed corn Juice of 1 large lemon 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper Salt (optional) dIrectIons

dOn’t fOrget that all of these and other delicious tailgating recipes can be found on our website at viezine. com/vie/2012/08/tailgaterecipes. Go team!

Use a heavy pot to cook beef, pork, and onion in chicken broth. Do not brown the meat first; cook it in the broth slowly, with the lid on, for 1 hour. Add ketchup and tomatoes, and cook for another hour. Add chicken, corn, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice (for a wonderful flavor), and cook slowly without the lid for another hour. Add salt to taste. Total cooking time: 3 hours.

Serves: Up to 40

126 | September /O ctober 2012

Blue Moon Cupcakes

By Devon Lott of Miss Make IngredIents 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 3/4 cups sugar 2 1/2 cups flour 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 eggs, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 drops red food coloring 10 drops yellow food coloring 1/2 teaspoon orange zest 1 cup Blue Moon beer 1/4 cup milk Frothy White Frosting (recipe follows) Small orange slices, for garnish dIrectIons Line 24 cupcake trays with liners. (Use white liners if you can; they become translucent during baking and really sell the mini Blue Moon image). In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat butter on medium speed for 30 seconds.

Add sugar a little bit at a time, beating well. Once it’s all added, beat for 2 more minutes.

Add eggs one at a time, beating after each. Add vanilla, food coloring, and orange zest and beat. Mix beer and milk in a measuring cup. Alternatively add beer/milk mixture and flour mixture to butter mixture in the large bowl, beating after each. End on the flour mixture. Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full. Bake for 18 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until cupcakes are golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Once cool, frost each cupcake with a generous amount of frosting. Just before serving, garnish each with a small orange slice.

Frothy White Frosting 2 egg whites, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon orange juice 1 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/3 cup water dIrectIons In a saucepan, mix sugar, water, and cream of tartar. Cook on medium heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture is bubbly. In a large bowl, beat egg whites, vanilla, and orange juice until soft peaks form. Slowly add hot sugar mixture, beating continuously.

Beat for 7 minutes until stiff peaks form.

Makes 24 cupcakes

vie zine.com | 127

Bacon Double Cheese Burger Dip

By Kevin Lynch of Closet Cooking IngredIents 1/2 pound ground beef 6 strips bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 small onion, diced 1 clove garlic, chopped 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 cup sour cream 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons ketchup dIrectIons Cook the ground beef in a pan over medium heat, set it aside, and drain the grease from the pan. Cook the bacon in the pan until crispy, about 6–10 minutes, set aside, and drain all but a tablespoon of the grease. Add the onion and sauté until tender, about 5–7 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about a minute. Mix the ground beef, bacon, onions and garlic, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, mozzarella, cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup and pour it into a baking dish. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the top starts turning a light golden brown and the sides are bubbling, about 20–30 minutes.

Makes over 4 servings

128 | September /O ctober 2012

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By Jessica Proffitt and Kay Phelan PhotograPhy By leslie siller and Melissa J. thurBer

vie zine.com | 131

guests enJoy the sixth annual chi chi Miguel throwdown.

Wine enthusiasts raised over halF a Million dollars For gulF coast charities at the sixth annual chi chi Miguel throWdoWn With the help oF such celebrity guests as eMeril lagasse, Morgan FreeMan, rusty staub, and Jonathan cain.

T

his past spring, the annual Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown raised more than half a million dollars—$528,444 to be exact—which benefited seven Gulf Coast charities. It was a record-breaking year for the fund-raiser and a particularly gratifying one for founders Michael and Valerie Thompson.

Six years ago, the Thompsons, wine aficionados and residents of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Northwest Florida, began organizing and hosting

132 | September /O ctober 2012

the Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown as a party for friends. In the last two years, they’ve turned their party into a fund-raiser to benefit local charities. Their philanthropic efforts have even landed them on the pages of Wine Spectator magazine.

“Over the years Mike and I have combined our love of wines and desire to give back. That turned into the Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown, which raised 100 percent more this year than we raised last year,” said Valerie Thompson. “This could not have been achieved without the amazing support of our Throwdown guests, donors, and volunteers. In an effort to keep our event private, intimate, and exclusive, we limit the number of guests to no more than 125 each year. They generously open up their hearts and wallets to make this wine charity event such a huge success. And best of all, all of our proceeds go directly to the charity organizations we support.”

In what has now become a three-day, star-studded happening with celebrities and world-class wine vintners, the Sixth Annual Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown encompassed an event at Lovelace Interiors in Destin with famed celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse sharing his culinary expertise, a Sip ’n’ Shop tour for the ladies at boutiques along Scenic Corridor 30A in South Walton County, and an invitational golf tournament at Kelly Plantation. The grand finale was an outdoor gathering at the Thompsons’ home for a barbecue competition. Five teams competed, including celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, twenty-three-year baseball veteran Rusty Staub, and Jonathan Cain, musician, songwriter, and longtime member of the rock band, Journey.

Celebrity judges James Molesworth, senior editor of Wine Spectator magazine; Chef John Currence, proprietor of City Grocery Restaurant Group; and Chef Jim Richard, local chef and owner of Stinky’s Fish Camp and Blue Mountain Catering, all collaborated to select the best barbecue team. The winners would claim the esteemed perpetual traveling trophy. This year, Emeril Lagasse’s team, the Herbert Brothers, captured the honor. Guests also voted on People’s Choice winners.

An integral part of the evening is a bevy of unique prize lots being auctioned off by one of the country’s top auctioneers, Ursula Hermacinski.

Live auction items featured highly sought-after packages including a dinner with Academy Award–winning actor Morgan Freeman; a handetched and hand-painted five-liter bottle of Revelation wine made by Jonathan Cain of Journey and a guitar autographed by members of Journey; two rare five-liter bottles of French Burgundy and two baseball bats autographed by Rusty Staub and Ty Cobb respectively; and a dinner for six in the Destin home of Emeril and Alden Lagasse, prepared personally by Lagasse, and a fishing trip aboard his boat, the Ole Miss.

Other live auction items included a Hawaiian vacation, two SEC football extravaganzas, a fishing trip at Ocean Reef Club, a trip to New York, a Colorado ski vacation, a Carnivale du Vin VIP trip to New Orleans, a Cabo San Lucas trip, art from George Rodrigue and Justin Gaffrey, and numerous other high-end offerings. Morgan Freeman’s dinner fetched the highest bid of the evening at $80,000.

Chi Chi Miguel cofounder Michael Thompson added, “We were amazed at the generosity of the evening. For example, while up on stage, Journey musician Jonathan Cain added eight tickets, backstage passes, and a party on the tour bus at a Journey concert to his Revelation lot.

valerie and MiKe thoMPson, founders of the chi chi Miguel throwdown.

Our guests went wild over that. So much, that Jonathan agreed on the spot to offer two of the same live auction lots which went for $33,000 each, times two! As well, Rusty Staub added to his auction lot with two tickets to his personal charity wine auction, which is one of the top ten in the nation.”

The best part of this story is the benefiting charities. The beneficiaries were Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC), Alaqua

local celeBrity froM nBc’s The Voice, geoff McBride, sings with acadeMy award– winning Morgan freeMan at the Morgan freeMan dinner, which was auctioned for a significant $80,000 to Benefit the eMerald coast children’s advocacy center.

Morgan FreeMan’s dinner Fetched the highest bid For the evening at $80,000.

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Animal Refuge, Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Kidz1st Fund, George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts, and Camille’s Art for Autism. The Thompsons donated 100 percent of the $528,444 raised this year directly to the respective charities. For example, the Morgan Freeman dinner generated $80,000, which benefited the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center.

“Valerie and Mike Thompson are such kind and giving people. Their generosity is humbling,” said ECCAC’s executive director Julie Hurst. “Through their Chi Chi Miguel Throwdown event, the dollars raised have given our center the resources to help restore the often lost childhoods of children who have experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect. The children we serve thank God for people like them every day. They are truly angels.”

The 7th Annual ChiChi Miguel Throwdown will be April 6, 2013. For further information, visit www.ChiChiMiguelThrowdown.com, or follow the event on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ ChiChiMiguelThrowdown.

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eMeril lagasse with his teaM, the herBert Brothers. the teaM won this year’s BarBecue coMPetition and the PerPetual troPhy.

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A Place to Remember

For more information and to request a Mexico Beach Visitor’s Guide, visit mexico-beach.com. Or call 888-723-2546 today to discover a place you’ll love to remember.

Brought to you by: Mexico Beach Community Development Council

backyard MAKEOVER Give your yard a functional face-lift and enjoy your home in a whole new way by wendy o. dixon

T

here’s something about certain rooms in our homes that make them our favorites, those that invite us in with a welcoming ambience. It could be the decor or the functionality of the space, but there’s one universally appealing aspect to our favorite rooms—windows.

“While our indoor rooms are more polished, we all gravitate toward the rooms that have a connection to the outdoors—those rooms with windows,” says home designer Tom Flowers.

Flowers, who is also a landscape architect and the CEO of award-winning design-build firm Sanctum, based in Atlanta, Georgia, has designed homes and outdoor spaces for more than thirty years. His work has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles, the Atlanta JournalConstitution and Today’s Custom Home, among other publications.

Lately, many homeowners are enjoying their homes in an entirely new way—by designing outdoor living spaces that rival their indoor counterparts. “Our relationship to the outdoors is more tactile,” Flowers continues. “You can feel the wind in your hair and the crunch of the grass under your feet. The relationship is entirely different from what we have with our indoor rooms.”

Outdoor “rooms” can now incorporate functional yet luxurious amenities that have traditionally

resided indoors. Plastic patio furniture is giving way to plush weather-resistant sofas and lounge chairs.

Flat-panel waterproof televisions are a popular addition to an outdoor entertainment room, and gourmets and gourmands are sliding homemade pizzas into wood-fired pizza ovens in their alfresco kitchens. With the help of an expert, you can design your own private sanctuary, enjoy year-round entertaining, and practice your culinary skills—all in your backyard.

These additions not only add to your home’s value, but they also enable you to enjoy your home on a whole new level. “Enjoying your home to its fullest potential means having an emotional connection to it,” Flowers explains. “You can enjoy it best when the space embraces you and creates an emotional response.” By considering what you want that response to be, you can design your outdoor space accordingly.

But don’t just bring in a bunch of rocks and plants and think you’ll figure it out as you go, Flowers warns. Have a plan. First, determine how you want to use the space. Do you plan to entertain most weekends? Will you cook meals outdoors several nights a week? Will you watch the sunset each night while sipping a glass of wine? Do you want a lot of shade? Privacy? Fencing? “That will determine the size, shape, and type of materials and landscaping you’ll need,” he says. Having a professional landscape architect visit the site will help you determine how to best use the space to fit your lifestyle.

Of course, your budget is certainly part of the equation. With the help of a landscaping expert, first gather information to explore all the options. “The vie zine.com | 137

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Outdoor Rooms The latest in backyard design involves adding the comforts of the indoors—flat-screen TVs, gourmet kitchens, and fireplaces—to the natural beauty of your outdoor space that are every bit as functional and beautiful as indoor ones. With a little imagination, you can transform your backyard into a rustic retreat, a charming kitchen and dining space, or a fun entertainment area. “Those are the top trends now,” Flowers says.

Consider tropical resort features, taking cues from the decor you loved during your last resort stay. You can re-create an exotic, relaxing, and luxurious environment with bamboo, stone, mosaic tiles, tropical flowers, and torches.

Water features make for a spalike, nurturing environment, and flowing water invites relaxation and a restful mood. Contemplate a miniature reflecting pool, birdbath, koi pond, or water fountain for a tranquil setting.

For the ultimate alfresco kitchen, a stainless steel grill with an overhead vent is a must. Upgrade with a wood-fired pizza oven, but also make room for the

essentials, including a sink, a cabinet, and a refrigerator. Add a cocktail bar and a seating area and you may never want to go back inside.

Outdoor fireplaces are popular even in the South, when a warm fire can make a chilly fall or winter night cozy and romantic. For a rustic feel, use stools made from preserved tree trunks. Or for more comfortable seating, set out love seats, plush chairs, and ottomans done in weather-resistant fabrics.

If your yard space permits, consider making several small designated areas for intimate backyard time. A reading nook with a chaise and small table tucked beneath a shade tree or alongside blooming flowers can make for a favorite spot to catch up on a great book, meditate, or enjoy a cup of soothing tea.

No matter your lifestyle or budget, all the same activities you enjoy indoors can be afforded outside now, Flowers says. “Most of my clients spend every day in their outdoor space,” he says. “They tell me how wonderful it is, and that they’re out there much more than they anticipated.”

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On July 26, Alys Beach’s Caliza Pool turned its cabanas into boutiques and held a soiree on its pool deck as the coastal town welcomed online retailer Taigan.com for an exclusive pop-up shop. VIE, together with Pure Barre, Jolie and Elizabeth, and Taigan, sponsored the inaugural preview party for the Alys Shoppe. VIE also partnered with Cathead Vodka to offer guests the signature VIEtini while style seekers browsed the cabanas filled with luxury clothing from designers such as Jolie and Elizabeth, Keiko New York, Jules Reid, and more.

Jewelry lines Bounkit and 88 by Sandy Simonian were featured alongside items by Karen Adams Designs and Turkish-T. Guests stopped for photos at the step-and-repeat backdrop before grabbing their drinks and enjoying a relaxing evening of shopping with friends.

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TO SEE vIdEO Of ThE STyLE SOIrEE And ThE ExCLuSIvE CAThEAd vOdkA “vIETInI” rECIPE, vISIT vIEzInE.COm/vIETv.

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A Dream Getaway to

Mexico

By Ainsley Rogers • Photography courtesy of Club Med

A vacation, As WeBsteR’s defines it, is “A ResPite oR A tiMe of ResPite fRoM soMething.”

That “something” (for those like me) is a hectic schedule, an extensive to-do list, and numerous meetings in a fast-paced workweek. For us, a vacation can seem annoyingly elusive. Nevertheless, capturing a time of respite from the real world is just what I found myself doing this past March when I embarked on a journey to the ancient fishing village of Zihuatenejo, Mexico.

T

racey, my friend and work colleague, and I chose Club Med Ixtapa Pacific for our weeklong destination of relaxation and rejuvenation. Located 161 miles from Acapulco in the Costa Grande region along Mexico’s Pacific Coast, this beach resort is nestled just below a mountain range, offering breathtaking views of both the soothing Pacific and majestic peaks—an idyllic natural setting in which to savor an array of expertly designed and delivered amenities. With more than eighty resorts in twenty-five different countries, Club Med employs an impressive staff, adept at anything and everything guests might need in between the cheerful welcomes as they arrive and the sincere good-byes as they begin their sobering departures back to reality. In every instance, resort personnel, articulating their rich native accents from countries around the world, speak the same language through excellent service delivered with a smile and a helping hand. Their mission: to ensure the perfect vacation experience. In turn, Tracey and I had declared the goals we shared for our trip: rest, rejuvenation, and letting the cares of the world slip away. In the proficient hands of Club Med, we experienced how simple that would be.

Rest And RejuvenAtion Club Med Ixtapa Pacific’s accommodations—298 guest rooms and fifteen suites—offer pleasing possibilities for families, friends, and couples. Decorated in vibrant colors and generously equipped with in-room luxuries, our spacious suite was located in Sol, an exclusive boutique complex within the resort. Along with guaranteeing comfort with ample closet space, multiple bedrooms, and a larger-than-life bathroom, our suite created a fantasy escape amid stunning sunset views and the sound of the waves crashing in the background. Family vacations, friend trips, and romantic getaways become unforgettable thanks to Sol’s exclusive amenities, which include a private lounge and services galore: personalized concierge, room service for continental breakfast, turndown service (complete with chocolates on the pillow!), and—perhaps the amenity that spoiled us the most—private beach access. From our secluded cabana, framed by curtains blowing in the gentle breezes, I watched the sun take its daily dip into the water’s horizon on that first evening and realized I would be hard pressed to find words that described my luxurious sense of tranquility.

Acclimated to our vacation home, we quickly dived into resort life, beginning with a massage at the Club Med Spa by Comfort Zone, the ultimate indulgence for guests in search of a place “where beauty, well-being, and relaxation reign supreme.” Doted on upon arrival, we received plush robes to wear and then followed our escorts to the Zen area for hot tea, where we relaxed on chaises longues facing floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Pacific. Only our soft-spoken masseuses, reminding Tracey and me of our appointments, could disrupt our reverie. Calmed by the spa’s soft lighting and soothing music, I let the expert masseuse work out the tension and stress in my muscles.

I was well on my way to rejuvenation.

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PlAy And exPloRe Along with eating and relaxing, recreation was a priority of our mission to recharge, and, oh, did the resort let us play!

Each day posed an enticing selection of adventures. From tennis to archery, instructors offered age-appropriate classes that, in some ways, were reminiscent of summer camp, although no summer camp I ever attended had snorkeling trips to private islands or a full trapeze training session! To prepare for such exploits, Tracey and I began most mornings with a yoga session on the beach. When we wanted less to do, we found a spot by one of Club Med Ixtapa Pacific’s many pools. With the perfect proportion of shade and sun, a cocktail is easy to enjoy poolside.

Between the two of us, Tracey proved to be the more daring. To swing on the trapeze, she climbed the fifty-plus steps above a catchall net to a small perch. At that point, directed by a Club Med trapeze trainer, she held only a small bar while hooked to the lines above as she sailed through the air, gracefully turning circles before safely coming to rest on the ground. If she ever decides to leave the magazine industry, she has a future in the center ring under the Big Top!

We Were IN culINary heaveN as We MIxed aNd MINgled WIth the INdustry’s coNNoIsseurs!

Wine And dine Fine dining—without restraint, of course—was a critical part of our rest and rejuvenation process. While staying with Club Med Ixtapa Pacific, we enjoyed the added pleasure of attending Food & Wine magazine’s annual Food and Wine Festival throughout the village. Celebrity chefs Michael Symon and Marcus Samuelsson, with wine expert Mark Oldman, joined renowned Mexican chefs in serving decadent wine and food pairings that explored fresh local flavors and traditional dishes with modern twists. We were in culinary heaven as we mixed and mingled with the industry’s connoisseurs!

Back at Club Med Ixtapa Pacific, gourmet dining, featuring all-inclusive bars and expansive buffets, prevailed. Appealing to any palate, resort restaurants serve a variety of fresh local seafood dishes, exquisite cheeses, succulent side dishes, and freshly baked breads. Our culinary explorations soon led us to Club Med’s acclaimed (and, yes, decadent) white chocolate bread. When we asked, the gracious Club Med chefs provided us with the recipe!

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On one of my favorite excursions entailed a short boat trip to a small local island.

Joining Zihuatenejo residents who seek out the spot in the afternoon to play in the surf and eat fantastic local food, we became immersed in the culture. Suiting up in snorkeling gear, we made an underwater circle of the island, catching gorgeous views of vibrant coral and tropical fish—all while keeping a watchful eye out for sharks! After such an exhilarating experience, we decided to dine at a beachside restaurant. Savoring delicious fish tacos and dips, we chatted with the waiters and the chef. No one wanted to leave when the time came to pack up our bags and head back across the water.

suItINg up IN sNorkelINg gear, We Made aN uNderWater cIrcle oF the IslaNd, catchINg gorgeous vIeWs oF vIbraNt coral aNd tropIcal FIsh.

On one of our last evenings in Zihuatenejo, we boarded a sailboat just before sunset to experience the Pacific at dusk. As a resident of Northwest Florida, I am blessed with the opportunity to view beautiful sunsets from my backyard regularly, but this one was uniquely spectacular. Perhaps the camaraderie shared with my fellow passengers on the boat heightened my senses, but I suddenly found myself aglow in the most beautiful golden light. The sun had descended, and, in turn, gilded the water and set the Mexican sky afire in a masterpiece of brilliant pinks and oranges. I had never seen such beauty. If I had to select a single moment that captured the essence of our Mexico vacation—one that absolutely succeeded in providing the utmost rest and rejuvenation—that would be it.

For a respite of your own, visit ClubMed.com for a full list of luxury accommodations and to plan your next vacation.

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White ChoColAte BReAd

courtesy of club Med ingRedients

1-1/2 cups flour 14 grams yeast (2 packets) • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 2/3 cup water • 6 ounces white chocolate chips

•

•

diReCtions Place the flour, salt, and yeast in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on medium-low or first speed for one minute. Add 2/3 of the water at first, then add the rest as needed and mix for ten minutes. If the dough needs more water, add as needed. The dough should be smooth, homogenous, and should not stick to your fingers when you touch it. It should pull away from the sides of the bowl. Add the chips and mix for an additional 2–3 minutes or until the chips are well distributed throughout the dough.

Take the dough out of the bowl and lightly knead into a ball. Let rest for

five minutes. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

After five minutes of resting, pound the dough flat and then form the dough into the desired shape of the loaf you want. This can be done by folding the dough into the middle and sealing it with your palm. Repeat this procedure until you have formed a loaf shape. Place the loaf on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and let rest for approximately 45 minutes or until it has doubled in size. If you are in a dry environment, place a damp cloth over the loaf. Once the dough has doubled, place in the oven (make sure to place 1/2 cup of water in a pan or directly on the oven bottom to create a vapor) and bake approximately 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or until nicely browned on top. Don’t be alarmed if any exposed white chocolate chips get burned—this is normal.

Once the bread is baked, remove from oven and let rest on a cooling rack for ten minutes.

Serve warm.

The recipe for the White Chocolate Bread can also be found on our blog at http://www.viezine.com/vie/2012/08/whitechocbread.

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Favorite THINGS From Taigan.com

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3 4

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In this issue, VIE partnered with online shopping mecca Taigan.com to bring you products that will give you—and your home—a look of luxury and style.

1. Beach Glass Piccolo Bowls by Beipiatti, 4-piece set, $110 2. Super Soft Turkish Linen Bath Towel by Turkish-T, $48 each 3. Nation on Vacation Pillow by Lance Wovens, $610–$750 4. Clear Quartz Earrings with Removable Drop by Bounkit, $385 5. Beach Glass Shimmery Fishes Knife Rests for the Table by Beipiatti, $9 each 6. Fleur Hand-Blown Glass Tumbler by Orbix Hot Glass, $35 each 7. Olive Cheese Board by And George, $34 8. Chiang Mai Hill Tribe Large Hand-Stitched Silk Tassel by 88 by Sandy Simonian, $48 each To purchase any of VIE’s Favorite Things, simply visit Taigan.com/VIEMagazineHomeGardenFavorites! vie zine.com | 157

g n i t s e Inv in

Life The ediTh Sanford BreaST CanCer foundaTion and The SeCond annual BreaST CanCer awareneSS dinner aT alyS BeaCh BoTh work To help find a Cure.

By Jordan Staggs

Mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, friends, and even daughters. Chances are, we all know at least one woman dear to us who has been affected by breast cancer. According to BreastCancer.org, about one in eight American women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. That’s just under 12 percent. But thanks to the Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation, those numbers could drop, as the world-renowned physicians at this new nonprofit research organization work with an innovative method to find a cure.

The foundation was funded by a tremendous gift from T. Denny Sanford, founder and owner of First Premier Bank and CEO of United National Corp. In 2007, he also funded Sanford Health, the country’s largest rural not-for-profit healthcare system. Sanford’s mother, Edith, was the namesake and inspiration for the foundation. She died of breast cancer when he was just four years old.

The Mission The foundation’s aim to provide rapid growth in research and treatment for this disease is based on genomics, mapping, and studying DNA sequences through biotechnology.

Unlocking each woman’s unique genetic code is key to their research, and according to Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation president Kimberly Earle—former

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Rounding up DNA to study from women and men worldwide is not an easy task, but thanks to Denny Sanford, the foundation has already made headway by putting donations from others to good use quickly. With a home research facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in addition to thirty-four Sanford Health hospitals and more than a hundred clinics across the United States, Edith Sanford is already partnering to provide the best in breast cancer treatment, prevention, and survivor support.

The People

Photo courtesy of Sanford Health

chief operating officer of Susan G. Komen for the Cure—this means studying the entire spectrum of each woman’s three billion DNA base pairs. “In partnership with Sanford Health, we will be the dominant health network with forward genomics integrated into it,” says Earle. “Ours is the first attempt to bring forward genomics into communities. Our bold, new approach will lead the way to eradicating breast cancer for all women.”

Breast cancer is not a single disease; it can develop in many different forms, depending on the individual. The cause is abnormal transformation of DNA, which can be caused by a variety of factors such as genetics, biological processes, or environmental exposures. By studying these changes down to the very strands of DNA in a woman’s cells, the researchers at Edith Sanford will make the best possible choices and utilize the most targeted treatments for each breast cancer patient. Ultimately, this research could change the entire face of modern medicine in every field.

The BioBank The key to Edith Sanford’s innovative methods of research is the BioBank, a database of DNA collected from people around the globe and stored to be studied using the cutting edge in genomics research. It is a subset of Sanford Health’s larger cancer BioBank, and it includes genetic material collected from cancer patients and non-cancer patients that will be used to accelerate the foundation’s development of a cure.

“Imagine, for example, that a researcher creates a new study for which he or she needs two hundred DNA samples,” says Earle. “Without the BioBank, which can provide those samples immediately, the researcher would need many months to find the patients and extract and catalogue the samples.”

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Of course, no nonprofit organization—especially one of this size—would be possible without the talented, passionate people who run it. In addition to Denny Sanford and Kimberly Earle, an elite team of researchers, doctors, officers, and volunteers keeps Edith Sanford running.

Dr. Brian Leyland-Jones, whose work is widely respected in individualized cancer therapies and development of novel clinical trials in the fight against breast cancer, is the leading researcher for the Edith Sanford foundation.

He previously held leadership positions at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and at McGill University in Montreal, and he headed the Developmental Chemotherapy section at the National Cancer Institute. “We live at a pivotal moment in cancer research, when the interface of deep genomic profiling and targeted therapies has the potential of transforming breast cancer,” he says. “I am honored to leverage Denny Sanford’s extraordinary vision and gift with partners and colleagues around the globe in utilizing genomic medicine to further both the prevention and cure of this devastating disease.”

Donations are already streaming in from around the country, thanks to individuals whose lives have been affected by breast cancer. Other philanthropic endeavors include organizations such as Arena North America, a leading swimwear brand, whose worldwide “Swim Challenge” could result in a $40,000 donation by the end of the year.

“We are sharing our story with potential donors across the country in all kinds of ways, asking for the generous support of people who want to end this disease,” Earle says. “We hope to reach people with messages and programs that give them a way to engage through whichever channel is easiest

for them. We are already under way with our efforts, and patients should be seeing the benefits this year. What we are doing is truly groundbreaking, making ‘personalized medicine’ a reality, ultimately using that personalized approach to develop drug therapies and treatment protocols for women wherever they live.”

Help Find A Cure The Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation makes it easy for interested donors to contribute. You can learn more at EdithSanford.org or by calling 855-GO-EDITH (463-3484).

Breast cancer affects women everywhere on the planet; it has far-reaching effects on their families and friends as well. Thankfully, there are many wonderfully passionate organizations dedicated to finding a cure for the disease. One way the Emerald Coast area can help is by donating at the Second Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Dinner at Caliza Restaurant in Alys Beach, which will be held this year on October 10.

“we live aT a pivoTal momenT in CanCer reSearCh, when The inTerfaCe of deep genomiC profiling and TargeTed TherapieS haS The poTenTial of TranSforming BreaST CanCer.” “Our chef, Kevin Korman, championed the event last year after brainstorming ways he could raise money to fight breast cancer,” says Kerri Price, marketing director for Alys Beach. “His mother is a survivor. My own mother did not survive breast cancer and passed away in 1997 at age forty-seven. We both have a vested interest in making this event a huge success, as do other members of our staff who have been affected by the disease.”

The dinner will feature pink lights and floating decor at Caliza Pool and there will be a silent auction offering items such as a condo stay in Belize. Chef Korman’s menu will feature foods that include “cancer-fighting” ingredients; one such entrée is black tea–smoked squab. Caliza Restaurant will stay open past its normal season for this October event and remain open through November (850.213.5700).

Last year’s event raised more than $4,000, and Alys Beach has partnered with the local Sacred Heart Cancer Center this year to allocate the proceeds. To learn more about the Breast Cancer Awareness Dinner, visit AlysBeach.com, and for information on our area’s fight against cancer, go to Sacred-Heart.org/CancerCenter.

Chef korman’S BlaCk Tea–Smoked SquaB BreaST Served with Wild Mushroom Dumplings, Sautéed Spinach, and Tamari Jus

for The SquaB Ingredients · 2 whole squabs · 1/2 cup loose leaf black tea · 1/2 cup kosher salt · 1/2 cup sugar · 5 star anise pods Directions Preheat a grill to medium heat. Combine the tea, anise pods, sugar, and salt.

Make a double-thick packet of aluminum foil to hold the tea mixture. Leave the packet open at the top so smoke can release. Remove the breast meat from the breastbone of the squab. Remove the legs and save for another use. Reserve the bones for making the sauce. Season the breast meat with salt and pepper on both sides. Place the foil packet directly onto the heating element of the grill. Close the lid and allow some smoke to begin to build. Place the squab meat skin side down on the grill grates. Make sure that the smoke packet is not directly under the meat or the smoke flavor may become too intense. Close the lid and cook for 4–5 minutes. Flip the meat over and cook for another 3 minutes for medium rare.

Cook a few minutes longer if you prefer the squab more well done. for The wild muShroom dumplingS Ingredients · 4 wonton wrappers · 8 ounces hon-shimeji mushrooms (shiitakes, cremini, or oyster mushrooms will also do) · 1 clove garlic, minced · 1 shallot, minced · 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced · 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil · 2 tablespoons whole butter or olive oil · Kosher salt to taste · Black pepper to taste Directions Melt the butter in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Sauté the shallots, garlic, and ginger for a few minutes. Add the mushrooms and stir. Cook for another 5–6 minutes until mushrooms have released their moisture and are starting to caramelize. Season with sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Let cool. Place a teaspoon of the filling in the center of a wonton wrapper. Dip your finger in water (or beaten egg) and rub the perimeter of the wonton wrapper to act as “glue” on the edges. Fold the wrapper over, corner to corner, and press the edges to seal. (There are many different ways to fold, but this is the easiest.) Cook in boiling water for 3–4 minutes, then transfer to a pan of melted butter with a bit of sesame oil for added flavor.

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Chef Korman’s Black Tea–Smoked Squab—the recipe below can also be found on our website www.viezine.com/vie/2012/08/calizasmokedsquab for The Tamari JuS Ingredients · Reserved squab bones · 1 carrot, diced · 1 stalk celery, diced · 1 white onion, diced · 3 cloves garlic, whole · 1 knob of ginger, sliced · 2 star anise pods · 1 tablespoon black peppercorns, whole · 1 gallon water · 1 cup tamari (or other dark soy sauce) · 2 tablespoons butter Directions Roast the bones in the oven (or on the grill) until lightly browned. Place into a deep pot and cover with water.

Bring to a simmer and add the remaining ingredients, except the tamari. Cook for 2 hours over low heat. Strain the liquid and discard the solids. Return the liquid to the pot and add the tamari. Cook over medium-high heat until the liquid is reduced by half. Whisk in the butter.

for The SpinaCh Ingredients 路 8 ounces spinach 路 1 tablespoon olive oil 路 Kosher salt 路 Black pepper Directions Heat a large pot over high heat. Add the olive oil and the spinach, stirring often until wilted.

(You may have to add the spinach in batches so it fits.) Season with salt and pepper.

Plating Divide the spinach into 4 deep bowls. Place a dumpling on top of the spinach. Place the squab to the side of the dumpling. Pour jus into the bowl.

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Serves 4.

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Digital Mammography

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Home Design Trends to Watch For

By JorDan STaggS

Autumn, like any other season, is a time of saying good-bye: to summer as the days grow shorter; to the kids as they go off to school, to the green leaves as they transform to yellow and red. It’s a time when people pack up tank tops and bikinis and focus more on business—the change of season brings a change of attitudes.

This transitional phase is the perfect time to make changes around the home as well—whether it’s a fresh coat of paint or some new accessories. To help with home makeover ideas, VIE enlisted four top-notch design teams to share their favorite upcoming trends in home decorating.

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Meet the Designers: Urban Grace • UrbanGrace.com

Tracery • TraceryinTeriors.com

The lovely ladies of Urban Grace Interiors have taken the idea of home design to its very foundation, literally coming on board with homeowners while the house is still being constructed, which allows founder Erika Powell and team members Allison Smith and Leigh Ann Harris to be a part of the creative process from the very start. This chic design firm is based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and has been featured in various major publications. Most recently, Erika Powell and Urban Grace were selected to design the Coastal Living 2012 Ultimate Beach House in Rosemary Beach, Florida.

Tracery Interiors was founded by Paige Schnell on the principles that all aspects of design are interconnected and the visions and needs of each client are paramount for any project. The team, consisting of Schnell, Anna Kay Porch, Bess Marshall, and Doug Davis, collaborate with each other in Tracery’s design studios and boutiques in Rosemary Beach and Mountain Brook, Alabama. Recent accomplishments by Tracery include the Southern Living 2012 Idea House, a renovated farmhouse in Senoia, Georgia.

melanie Turner • melanieTUrnerinTeriors.com Melanie Turner draws inspiration from fashion and nature in creating her spaces, and she strives to bring in elements of simplicity and understated glamour to achieve a luxurious look that doesn’t feel overdone. This Atlanta-based designer also has a home in Rosemary Beach and has been featured in many publications and on HGTV.

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J. miller’s • consiGnanyThinG.com J. Miller’s Furniture has been serving Destin, Pensacola, and Gulf Breeze, Florida, for over eighteen years with new and consigned furniture. Jon Fortuna, also known as the Design Dude, stages designs for J. Miller’s and has been a featured designer in Northwest Florida’s Splash! magazine. Fortuna stresses the importance of knowing the personal style of the homeowner when designing a room and staying focused on the client’s needs throughout the process.

Urban Grace

Urban Grace

Photo by Marla Carter

Photo by Jack Gardner

Melanie Turner

Melanie Turner

Photo by Erica George Dines

Photo by Erica George Dines

Tracery

Tracery

Photo by Michael Granberry

Photo by Jean Allsopp

J. Miller’s

J. Miller’s

The Riverside Collection

The Riverside Collection

Urban Grace

Melanie Turner

Photo by Jack Gardner

Photo by Erica George Dines

J. Miller’s The Riverside Collection

7 Decor Trends To Make your HoMe FaBulouS anD FuncTional

1. Function + style

5. rustic, natural elements

In today’s design industry, it’s not just about making a room aesthetically pleasing. Many of our designers work closely with clients who have very specific needs, whether they need a space to be child friendly, pet friendly, durable, or just everyday livable. It is important to know the function of the space before choosing the design elements. Urban Grace’s Coastal Living game room and other children’s rooms are perfect examples of combining functionality with style. Linen slipcovers, a durable leather ottoman, and outdoor fabrics make these spaces easy to maintain yet comfortable and stylish. The custom striped ping-pong table can easily be converted into a dining space for the kids as well, and baskets beneath the television unit provide great looking storage for board games, toys, and blankets.

One of the year’s most popular trends has brought the outside into the home with organic, rustic pieces such as washed or distressed wood, woven textures, natural fabrics, and elements of nature. Almost all our experts agreed this is the perfect trend to try for fall and winter. “People are really looking at the home for a place to unwind,” Fortuna says. “They’re going with very natural, laidback, and traditional designs. Fabrics such as linen and cotton are good choices because they’re very forgiving when you have children or pets, but they still look and feel nice.” Tracery Interiors embraced this trend wholeheartedly when creating the 2012 Southern Living Idea Home, integrating several reclaimed wood furniture pieces by Made on 30A artist Brett Martin (madeon30a.com). Melanie Turner has also used tree trunk coffee tables and other rustic accessories in her Rosemary Beach home.

2. nautical accessories Living near the coast often means bringing a little of the seafaring look into the home. This does not, however, have to mean putting model sailboats on every desktop or using stripes in all the fabrics. The designers at Urban Grace found ways to subtly incorporate the nautical theme in their children’s playroom by reflecting maritime decor in the trundle bed pulls, the lights, and the artwork, as well as in the calming blue of the hardwood floor.

3. Kids’ bunk rooms Balancing a kid’s idea of a fun room and a parent’s sense of aesthetics can be a challenge, but Urban Grace has been on a roll when it comes to designing bunk rooms with fun, creative, and space-saving solutions for children’s areas. Powell says it’s like building a life-size dollhouse room. The outcome—a look that’s fresh, clean, and in keeping with the overall design of the rest of the home. “We love making bunk bed mattress covers,” says Smith. “Bunk beds are so difficult to make up and that way when they aren’t being used they still look pretty with minimal effort.”

4. monotone color schemes

6. Textured accessories Similar to keeping fabrics natural and durable, accessories are showing more of a rustic feel as well, according to Fortuna. “Oversized pottery, mercury glass, and hand-woven baskets—anything with texture—have been showing big for fall and spring [2013],” he says. “It adds a visual punch without being a color or pattern.”

When grouping these pieces, it’s important to look for styles that will complement the other elements in a space rather than stand out too much. Keeping accessories simple and using only a few key pieces is the trick to making a room look complete but not cluttered.

7. icy color Palette “This is a very clean approach to color,” says Melanie Turner. When looking for a calm, soothing space this season, consider choosing a color from a lighter palette, such as mint green or periwinkle. It allows color into the room without being too bright or distracting from the other design elements, such as the furniture.

Pairing these cool tones with white or cream will instantly lend an air of elegance and sophistication to a space.

For many, choosing a color scheme is one of the most difficult parts of designing.

Instead of overloading on a wide color palette, Paige Schnell of Tracery suggests trying varying shades of the same color throughout a room. “We love to create a room that is the full range of a color,” Schnell says. “This subtle change generates a feeling of elegance.” Keeping the senses from becoming overwhelmed by many competing colors helps to create a calm, relaxing, and cozy space—the perfect trend for master bedrooms and bathrooms. vie zine.com | 171

Whatever springtime mode you’re in, whether it’s a daytime swing or a nightime cling, we have the trends, the styles, the outfits and the accessories to help you make up your new wardrobe and your mind.

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