Towson, MD January 2018

Towson JANUARY 2018

TowsonLifestyle.com

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THE ART, SCIENCE AND MAGIC OF HEX FERMENTS

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MAKING A DENT IN THE UNIVERSE

LIFESTYLE LETTER

A New Year's Change Happy New Year, Towson!

Whether you welcomed the arrival of 2018 by raising a flute of Champagne, a can of Natty Boh, sparkling cider or a bottle of kombucha tea, everyone at Towson Lifestyle hopes you were surrounded by the good cheer of family and friends.

JANUARY 2018 PUBLISHER

Glen Cox | Glen.Cox@LifestylePubs.com EDITOR

Nicolette Martin | Nicolette.Martin@LifestylePubs.com

We feel privileged to have spent 2017 with you and look forward to another

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

great year. As always, during January—and every month to follow—we'll strive

Alex Bird, Gerald Levin,

to bring you the most interesting stories and information about Towson and the

Matt Hobson, Ashley Stimpson

surrounding areas to help keep you up to speed and in the know.

Here's wishing you a happy and healthy 2018!

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Shane Carpenter, Harrison Hart, Natalie Landrum, Justin Tsucalas

CORPORATE TEAM Glen Cox, Publisher Glen.Cox@LifestylePubs.com

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHIEF SALES OFFICER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DIRECTOR OF MARKETING ART DIRECTOR OPERATIONS DIRECTOR EDITORIAL MANAGER EDITORIAL AD MANAGER AD COORDINATORS

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Towson Lifestyle | January 2018

Towson Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Towson areas’ most affluent neighborhoods.

Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Towson Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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INSIDE THE ISSUE JANUARY 2018

FEATURES 12 Celebrate the 2018 Bowl Season Korean Dish Offers Ample Room for Personal Taste

16 Making a Dent in the Universe Brick Family Works on Global Reach While Staying True to Their Roots

16 34

28 Om On Your Own 15 Minutes of Yoga for Restoration on Your Own Time

28

12

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

8

Around Town

12

Culinary Creations

16

Locally Owned

24 Open House 28 Healthy Lifestyle 29 Realty Report 30 Lifestyle Calendar 34 Local’s Choice

AROUND TOWN

WEST TOWSON ELEMENTARY NAMED MARYLAND BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL (151)

next three to five years will bring a great deal of

West Towson Elementary School is one of six

growth. We’re excited to join the neighborhood and

Maryland schools that have been named a 2017-18

“The Towson area is being rejuvenated, and the

add to its success,” Russo said in a statement.

Blue Ribbon School, bringing to 24 the total number

The Towson location serves lunch, dinner and

of schools in the county boasting the distinction. The

weekend brunch featuring American cuisine includ-

Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a state and national

ing sandwiches, salads, burgers and steaks, as well

program that recognizes high performance as well

as craft beers and cocktails. The Point in Towson is

as significant academic progress. West Towson was

open for lunch and dinner, from Tuesday through

selected in the category of exemplary high-achiev-

Sunday (closed Mondays).

ing school by scoring in the top 15 percent of all Maryland Schools on the 2017 Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessments.

“We are so proud of West Towson Elementary School for this latest honor and the high-quality academic program it provides all students,” BCPS Interim Superintendent Verletta White said. “Recognitions such as this underscore our systemwide commitment to excellence and equity. Achieving Blue Ribbon status requires strong leadership and a fully engaged teaching staff and student body.”

Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools compete for National Blue Ribbon Awards, which will be announced by the U.S. Department of Education later this year.

TOWSON ELKS CHAPTER THROWS HOLIDAY CELEBRATION FOR LOCAL VETERANS

In November, an official groundbreaking cere-

Over the Thanksgiving season, Towson’s local Elks

mony was held for the downtown Towson devel-

Chapter hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for more than

opment now known as “Circle East.” The project,

50 of the area’s veterans. The dinner, a partnership

costing an estimated $30 million, will replace

with American Legion Towson Post 22, was pre-

the former Towson Circle property that housed

empted by a Veterans Day ceremony on November

Towson’s Barnes & Noble and Trader Joe’s. Both

11 that began at the Wayside Cross located near

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamentz

Towson Circle and moved to the Towson memorials

and Baltimore County Councilman David Marks

dedicated to the Vietnam and Middle East conflicts.

spoke at the event.

The Elks, whose local chapter has been located on

Kamentz, in a statement given before the event,

Towson’s West Pennsylvania Avenue since 1899, has

praised the development as a reflection of Towson’s

a long history of celebrating the area's local veterans,

growing potential as a commercial destination.

and has provided a range of social events for former service members over the years.

FELLS POINT RESTAURANT OPENS NEW LOCATION IN TOWSON The Point, a popular Fells Point restaurant and

8

GROUND BROKEN ON CIRCLE EAST DEVELOPMENT

“With Circle East starting construction, downtown Towson continues its dynamic growth as a vibrant place to live, work and enjoy life,” Kamenetz said.

“We’ve seen more than $1 billion in recent private investment, adding jobs and economic vitality to the Baltimore County seat.”

bar opened a new location in November at the for-

When completed, the development will con-

mer home of the Crease at 523 York Road. Founded

tain a 390-unit apartment building and 240,000

in 2010 by Erica Russo, the Point’s new location was

square feet of street-level retail featuring local and

in the planning stages for more than a year.

national businesses.

Towson Lifestyle | January 2018

CONTINUED >

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AROUND TOWN

(CON TI N UED)

Locally Owned | Free Estimates

“TEST TAPROOM” OPENS FOR BALTIMORE COUNTY GUINNESS BREWERY In anticipation of completing its first U.S. brewing operation in more than 50 years, Guinness has opened a temporary taproom near the location of its new brewery in Baltimore County. Located at 5001 Washington Blvd., the taproom hopes to raise awareness for the new brewery and give people a chance to preview the new types of beer the Baltimore facility will brew. According to Guinness Brewery Ambassador Ryan Wagner, the temporary tap house gives the new facility an opportunity to get through the construction phase while still bringing people down and serving some beer and telling the story a little bit more. While Guinness's famed black stout will not be brewed at the new facility, it will be on tap

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CHARLES M. BLOW SPEAKS AT GOUCHER COLLEGE Charles M. Blow, The New York Times columnist, CNN contributor and author, spoke November 1 at Goucher College as part of the Jane and Robert Meyerhoff Visiting Professorship. The event brings distinguished scholars, teachers and performers like Blow to Goucher’s campus to advance local and national dialogue on pressing issues of our time. Blow spoke about community, social justice, equity, presidential politics and the

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MORE ACCESS TO LIBRARY RESOURCES FOR BCPS STUDENTS In November, the Baltimore County Public Library system introduced student accounts, which enable Baltimore County Public Schools students to use their student IDs to access the library’s print and online resources, including print publications, audiobooks, downloadable books and online resources with their BCPS student identification number or BCPS One card.

Students are now able to check out up to five items at a time without incurring late fees. Each student account is activated for one year at a time and reactivated at the start of each school year for eligible students.

W W W. C H A R I T Y WAT E R . O R G 10

Towson Lifestyle | January 2018

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CULINARY CREATIONS ARTICLE GERALD LEVIN | PHOTOGRAPHY HARRISON HART

Celebrate the 2018 Bowl Season KOREAN DISH OFFERS AMPLE ROOM FOR PERSONAL TASTE

FIRST, YOU SEE A BOUQUET OF VIVID COLORS. Then you

The server will arrange each veggie item adjacent to one

hear the sizzle. The crackling intensifies as you stir the crunchy

another, around the bowl’s inside perimeter. If the bibimbap

rice at the bottom of the black ceramic bowl. A fried egg, espe-

were a pie, each item would be a distinctive slice.

cially when it’s sunny side up, adds whimsy to the dish.

What you have in front of you is bibimbap, one of the signature dishes from the realm of Korean cuisine.

Bibimbap literally means “mixed rice.” Yet, it’s so much more

Your bowl is nearly complete. The server is ready to select a plastic squeeze bottle and squirt out one of the Brown Rice Korean Grill’s homemade sauces across the top of your now-filled bowl.

than just rice. The rice makes up the base. On top are an array

In keeping with an ongoing pattern, you have seven sauce

of vegetables, your choice of protein and a Korean-style sauce.

choices. They are gochujang (a traditional Korean sauce made

This is a dish that lends itself to customization—by taste, by

with red pepper paste); bulgogi; spicy mayo; deongjang (bean

the availability of ingredients, even by color and texture.

paste with apple and onion); sesame soy; mango; and spicy citron.

The customization aspect is the Americanization of it,

The bowl—now doused with a homemade sauce—goes

says Heather Chung, owner of Brown Rice Korean Grill, a

onto the stovetop. And, a fried egg tops it off. Minutes later,

multilocation eatery in the Baltimore area that specializes

your personally designed bowl of bibimbap comes back to

in bibimbap. One of the locations opened last August at 401

you, sizzling and ready to eat.

York Road in Towson Commons.

Chung, who arrived in the United States from Korea in 1998,

Traditional bibimbap in Korea, she says, would have a

emphasizes the balanced portions and nutritious aspects of

protein, along with these elements: shitake mushrooms,

bibimbap. Before she opened her first Brown Rice Korean Grill

spinach, carrots, zucchini, onions, pickled radish, bean

several years ago, she owned a Baltimore City liquor store. The

sprouts and the fried egg on top.

urge to provide a food product that supports a healthy lifestyle

By comparison, the Brown Rice Korean Grill in Towson offers an assortment of 18 fresh vegetable options.

prompted her to start her bibimbap-focused operation.

In keeping with the eatery’s mantra for using the fresh-

Let’s start at the beginning, though. In this instance, the

est ingredients, the Brown Rice Korean Grill does all of its

vessel of choice is what the eatery calls a “hot stone bowl.” It

own pickling and fermenting, and creates its own mari-

holds 32 ounces. As you select your style of rice, your server

nade and sauce recipes.

will spread sesame oil across the bowl’s interior. The options

Bibimbap may have started in Korea as a way to scrape

are brown rice, mixed-grain rice or mixed sushi (sticky) rice

together bits and pieces of whatever food was available,

with jasmine rice. You could also select a base of kale salad or

Chung says, and then transform the remnants into a more

a combination of any two of these items.

palatable, substantive dish. Or, as the popular expression

Next, your server will ask what protein you’d like. These

goes: “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

choices include chicken, beef, pork belly, beef short ribs

In addition to the bowls, bibimbap is also available in

(kolbi), shrimp, salmon or tofu. The meats are available as thin

two sizes of carry-out, cardboard-style bowls: Be Bowl—16

slices that have been marinated and grilled, in a Korean style

ounces and Super Bowl—32 ounces.

called bulgogi. Some also come as spicy. Even the tofu comes in different versions: honey ginger, spicy and steamed.

Now, it’s time to select items from the veggie bar. You get

12

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seven choices. For a blend of the traditional with something

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Towson Lifestyle | January 2018

January 2018 | Towson Lifestyle

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Towson Lifestyle | January 2018

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LOCALLY OWNED

MAKING A DENT IN THE UNIVERSE FITNESS CLUB FOUNDERS FOCUS ON PHILANTHROPY WHILE STAYING TRUE TO THEIR ROOTS ARTICLE ASHLEY STIMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY NATALIE LANDRUM

“EVERYONE HAS A BASIC CHARACTER,” VICTOR BRICK SAYS. “We are a nurse and a teacher—we are givers.”

Victor and his wife, Lynne, along with their daughter, Vicki, are the entrepreneurial masterminds behind a fitness center dynasty that now spans four states and includes dozens of facilities. Their extraordinary, if unexpected, story began in a Towson University gymnasium.

“I was in the gym, playing basketball with the guys, and this beautiful girl walks through,” Victor recounts. “I looked at my buddy and said, ‘I’m going to marry her.’”

It took a little time, and some creative storytelling (Victor told his future wife he was planning to try out for her dance company), but eventually they became a couple.

Lynne graduated from Towson with a degree in nursing and took a job at the University of Maryland’s Shock Trauma Center, while Victor worked as a recreation director and basketball coach. The Bricks soon started a family. When daughter Vicki was born, Victor sought extra cash to support his new family. He answered an ad in the Baltimore Sun for an aerobics instructor. He was hired.

Victor admits his first class was a disaster.

“I set the class to 'Scarborough Fair' by Simon and Garfunkel,” he says, smiling. “Successful people know their limitations.”

So Victor recruited his dancer wife to teach the class instead. He couldn’t know it at the time, but the decision would prove to be a life-changing one.

16

Towson Lifestyle | January 2018

Lynne’s classes became so popular that her schedule soon included more than 20 sessions a week. When the fitness club where she was teaching fired her for overshadowing the rest of their offerings, she began holding classes in a rented space.

“EVERYONE COMES TO A FORK IN THE ROAD AT SOME POINT WHERE YOU CAN PLAY IT SAFE OR GO FOR YOUR DREAM," VICTOR SAYS. "WE WENT FOR IT.” The Bricks opened their first fitness club in Timonium in 1985.

The first few years of owning their own business were fraught with financial challenges, and the couple attributes their eventual success to faith, a little luck and giving back.

“That energy always comes back to you,” Victor says.

Giving back has been an integral part of the Bricks’ journey.

“It’s a part of our brand, but also just what we believe,” Lynne explains. “This is our hood.”

The Bricks have been good to their hood. They have donated resources to the Lutherville-Timonium Recreation Council where Victor began his career. They give money to the church they were married in and to their alma mater. In fact, the gym in which Victor first glimpsed his future wife and business partner is now a science lab; the Bricks provided the funds for the renovation and equipment.

They also established a scholarship fund.

While Victor and Lynne embark on new business and charitable ventures, daughter Vicki, a former NCAA point guard, has taken over as Brick Bodies CEO, overseeing day-to-day operations.

When asked about their philanthropic endeavors, Victor channels Steve Jobs, saying he and Lynne are striving to “put a dent in the universe.”

The Bricks’ dent has been felt locally for a long time, and now the couple is turning their attention to the global issue of mental health.

The John W. Brick Foundation—named after Victor’s brother, who died from complications of schizophrenia—works to discover how exercise, diet, relationships and health care fit together to benefit the mental health of people around the world.

Victor watched his brother endure rounds of treatments, therapies and new medicines, only to succumb to his disease over and over again.

“There has to be a better way,” Victor says about the traditional methods of treating people with mental illness. “We want to help find that way.”

It’s an ambitious goal, but the Bricks have proven they excel in exceeding anyone’s expectations—including their own.

“Who would have thought a recreation director would become this serial entrepreneur,” Victor says.

But underneath the unlikely success, the numerous industry awards and accolades, the Bricks aren’t so different from who they were before.

“We’re still serving others,” Victor says. “It’s ingrained in us to give.”

January 2018 | Towson Lifestyle

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Towson Lifestyle | January 2018

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RESOLUTE WORKOUTS D ARTICLE ALEX BIRD

RESOLUTE WORKOUTS FOUR LOCAL FITNESS PROGRAMS TO KEEP YOUR COMMITMENT TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE ON TRACK

/////

DURING THE ANCIENT ERA, THE BABYLONIANS PROMISED THEIR

GODS TO RETURN BORROWED GOODS AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH YEAR. Over the course of their republic and empire, the Romans

made promises to the god of beginnings, Janus, for whom the first month of the year is now named. During the Medieval era, knights took a “pea-

cock vow” at the end of each year to renew their commitment to the code

of chivalry. Today, rounding out the year by making resolutions for the next one remains a vibrant part of our rituals.

While it probably wasn’t an issue for gladiators or crusaders, the most

common New Year’s goal, getting back into shape, often bedevils contemporary resolutions for a healthier lifestyle. Gym memberships bought with

enthusiasm on the first are often lost in the couch cushions by the 30th.

Short days, cold weather and the strains of typical day-to-day life discourage what feels like less pressing commitments. Soon enough, December rolls around and last year’s resolutions become next year’s again. If you’re dedicated to making a fresh start on personal fitness in the new year, it can seem frustrating and fruitless.

There are, however, surefire ways to avoid the harsh pitfalls of January

and ensure that fitness goals for 2018 don’t roll over into 2019. Rather than picking up another gym membership and hoping for the best, joining a dynamic, group-centered fitness program can sustain dedication and enthusiasm long after the winter months. Thankfully, the greater Baltimore area is full of the kind of structured programs that foster a healthy lifestyle not only for the coming year but long into the future.

CONTINUED >

January 2018 | Towson Lifestyle

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RESOLUTE WORKOUTS

(CON TI N U ED)

NEVERMORE CROSSFIT

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Towson Lifestyle | January 2018

///// NEVERMORE CROSSFIT Located at Barehills Racquet and Fitness Club, 1420 Clarkview Road, Baltimore, MD 21209 NevermoreCrossFit.com At first glance, CrossFit looks more akin to a free-for-all than a disciplined exercise regimen. Participants jump on a rowing machine for a minute and suddenly switch to doing deadlifts and pullups a moment later. However, it is the fastpaced nature and diversity of regime that has catapulted the once-fringe fitness movement to the mainstream over the last decade. CrossFit, a combination of calisthenics, aerobic exercise and weightlifting, focuses on fostering general fitness by implementing a wide range of physical activity that wards off fatigue and keeps participants engaged.

Nevermore Crossfit, a program located at the Barehills Racquet and Fitness Club just north of Mount Washington, takes the CrossFit philosophy and adds a strong social element to the formula. According to their website, Nevermore’s program provides the environment that will allow participants to “establish friendships and relationships that will make you want to be better … at whatever you face; where you will never feel too intimidated to expand your boundaries; where you will experience the core values of community, determination, generosity, passion and humility.”

In addition to their traditional CrossFit program, Nevermore also offers personal training, nutrition consulting, youth fitness programs and an additional training regimen with a greater level of intensity, pointedly named “Delirium.” If your goal this new year is simply to get moving, Nevermore CrossFit has the knowledge and support to get you started.

///// ANYTIME FITNESS 40 York Rd, Towson 55 W. Aylesbury Rd, Timonium Anytime Fitness, the chain of 24-hour health clubs with locations in Towson and Timonium, has taken the “anytime” concept a step further with the addition of on-demand classes that members can access any time of the day or night. Not available when “live” classes are offered? No problem. These clubs offer hundreds of classes on demand through an arrangement with Wellbeats, the world’s leading virtual fitness provider. As long as the studio is not in use, you can simply select one of the classes using a convenient iPad app. A projection screen drops down from the ceiling, your virtual instructor greets you, and you’re on your way.

Popular classes, which last from 20 to 50 minutes, include yoga, spin, Zumba, Pilates and kickboxing.

ANY TIME

FITNESS

CONTINUED >

January 2018 | Towson Lifestyle

21

RESOLUTE WORKOUTS

(CON TI N U ED)

RATHER THAN PICKING UP ANOTHER GYM MEMBERSHIP AND HOPING FOR THE BEST, JOINING A DYNAMIC, GROUP-CENTERED FITNESS PROGRAM CAN SUSTAIN DEDICATION AND ENTHUSIASM LONG AFTER THE WINTER MONTHS.

YOGA BALTIMORE

BIKRAM 22

Towson Lifestyle | January 2018

///// BIKRAM YOGA BALTIMORE Located in Yorktowne Plaza Shopping Center, 40 Cranbrook Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030 BikramYogaBaltimore.com While yoga has been around for thousands of years, Bikram yoga, a system of hot yoga composed of 26 hatha yoga postures, was developed by yoga teacher Bikram Choudhury in the 1970s.

Since then, it has developed into a regimented

THE DAILEY METHOD STUDIO

program with a nine-week training course for instructors,

designated

room

temperatures

(95-108 F) and even an approximate humidity (40 percent). Despite the specificity of program requirements, the classes at Bikram Yoga Baltimore reinforce a sense of flexibility, both figuratively and literally.

Classes at the Cockeysville studio provide a relaxed environment that allows each student to move through the 26 poses at their own speed and comfort level. Instructors provide a complete walk-through of each posture, giving instruction and critiques along the way. The lights are dim, and the atmosphere is relaxing, allowing for mental as well as physical evaluation. Of course, a typical class is not without its challenges. The studio is normally heated to more than 100 degrees F. As a result, perspiration and elevated heart rate

THE DAILEY METHOD STUDIO /////

enter the equation almost instantly. Instructors,

1220 E Joppa Rd, Towson, MD 21286

while kind and encouraging, also deal out their

TheDaileyMethod.com

fair share of tough love to push students to the next level. Students can expect to leave class feeling both energized and relaxed.

For those looking to find balance in both mind and body in 2018, heading to Melanie Kozel’s Dailey Method studio in Towson is a good first

Bikram Baltimore encourages new students to

step. Melanie, who founded the state’s first Dailey Method studio in 2016,

attend three sessions in the first week to allow

provides both cycle classes and ballet-style barre workouts based on the

instructors to learn about students and for stu-

Dailey method for both the beginner and advanced student. Before finding

dents to determine how they’d like to approach the

its way to Towson, the Dailey program originated in San Francisco where

class and acclimate to exercising in high tempera-

Jill Dailey McIntosh developed a diverse fitness regimen combining ele-

tures. Following that, encouraging instructors and

ments of yoga, pilates, ballet barre work and orthopedic exercises that help

the evident benefits are sure to help even the most

the body and mind develop a positive sense of well-being.

reluctant student coming back for more.

The typical barre class runs for roughly 60 minutes, beginning with a range of physical warmups, breathing exercises and focusing on goals for both the class and the day ahead. For a majority of the session, students will spend time stretching and toning various muscle groups using both weights and the studio’s barre, two wall-mounted handrails typically positioned at waist and shin height.

Following the workout, students stretch and enter a final resting pose that provides time to meditate and clear the mind.

January 2018 | Towson Lifestyle

23

OPEN HOUSE

ARTICLE ASHLEY STIMPSON | PHOTOGRAPHY HARRISON HART

LIVING IN

ST YLE TOWSON INTERIOR DESIGNER GIVES US A TOUR OF HER FAVORITE PROJECT—HER OWN

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Towson Lifestyle | January 2018

HEN LISA CHAMNESS AND HER HUSBAND BOUGHT THEIR 1920S COLONIAL REVIVAL NINE YEARS AGO, THEY DIDN’T PLAN ON STAYING LONG. “We had all intentions of flipping at our typical three to five-year mark, but we fell in love,” she explains.

An interior designer by trade, Lisa isn’t one to stay put. Her historic cottage, however, seems to offer it all—a beautiful place to call home and a never-ending list of projects.

“I am always thinking of something to change, whether it’s structural or cosmetic," she says. “It’s in my blood!”

She has already made quite a few changes.

“The day we purchased this home was the day demolition started. We knocked down every interior wall we possibly could! We did, however, keep all of the original features in the home, never taking away its charm and history," she says. "Creating an open space not only made the space more functional but also created that light, airy feel you get just by walking in the front door.”

Ask Lisa for interior design advice and, although she hates to sound cliché, she says, “Less is more. I like to keep walls and furnishings neutral and use pops of color with the use of pillows, window coverings and accent pieces. These are easy and less expensive to change.”

CONTINUED >

January 2018 | Towson Lifestyle

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OPEN HOUSE

26

(CON TI N U ED)

Towson Lifestyle | January 2018

She also suggests using one unexpected element in each room. In her dining room, that’s a large table made from reclaimed wood from a North Carolina farm. Lisa says some of her favorite memories in her home have happened around that table.

“I REMEMBER WATCHING MY DAUGHTER, WHO IS NOW A FRESHMAN IN COLLEGE, DOING HER HOMEWORK AT THE FARM TABLE WHILE I WOULD MAKE DINNER, AND ENJOYING FRIENDS ON THE WEEKEND—SOMETIMES SNOWED IN FOR DAYS, TELLING STORIES AND LAUGHING,” LISA SAYS. “OUR HOUSE MAY BE SMALL, BUT IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE THE PLACE TO GATHER.”

in

Ba

lt i m

ore Co u

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BALTIMORE COUNTY WINTER RESTAURANT WEEK JANUARY 19TH - FEBRUARY 3RD

For a list of restaurants and menus:

BaltimoreCountyRestaurantWeek.com

January 2018 | Towson Lifestyle

27

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

OM ON YOUR OWN 15 MINUTES OF YOGA FOR RESTORATION ON YOUR OWN TIME ARTICLE ASHLEY STIMPSON PHOTOGRAPHY NATALIE LANDRUM

JESSICA KLAITMAN HAS BEEN PRACTICING YOGA FOR 15 YEARS AND TEACHING FOR MORE THAN EIGHT. She acquired her 200-hour certification through Yogaworks in 2009 and an additional 300 hours in 2010. Jessica specializes in pre- and

1

2

postnatal yoga, as well as restorative and aerial yoga. Her classes emphasize breath, alignment, philosophy and community.

1. URDHVA HASTASANA/UPWARD SALUTE

3

Stand with your feet hip-width apart. As you inhale, reach up with both arms. Firmly press your feet as you reach through your fingertips. Soften your shoulders. Exhale, releasing your arms to your sides.

2. UTTHITA ANJANEYASANA/HIGH LUNGE Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Step your right foot back to a lunge with all toes facing forward. Feet remain hip-width apart.

Bend your front knee over your front ankle. Bend your back knee and lengthen your tailbone down. Straighten your back leg, if comfortable. Inhale, lift your arms and reach through your fingertips.

Exhale. If needed for balance, place hands on wall or sofa. Step right foot forward to the left. Step left foot back. Repeat.

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3. BITILASANA/CAT OR COW Come to hands and knees with hands shoulder-width apart, fingers spread and knees hip-width apart. Inhale, arch your back and lift your gaze. Exhale, round your back and gaze toward your thighs. Repeat.

4. SUPRA MATSYENDRASANA/RECLINED TWIST Lie on your back and hug your knees into your chest. Open your arms to a T-shape. Drop your knees to the right, keeping them at hip height. Inhale and exhale. Inhale your knees back to the center. Exhale knees to the left. Inhale and exhale. Inhale your knees back to the center.

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5. SAVASANA/CORPSE POSE Lie on your back. Separate your feet at least hip-width apart and let your feet open to the sides. Rest your arms several inches away from your hips, palms up. If needed for comfort, place a folded blanket under your head or knees. Inhale and exhale for several breaths.

These photographs were taken at Yogaworks in Towson.

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Towson Lifestyle | January 2018

REALTY REPORT

REALTY REPORT

ADDRESS

TOWSON

ORIGINAL PRICE

SOLD PRICE

%SOLD/ORIG

DOM

BDRMS

BATHS

7211 Bellona Ave, OAKHILL

$3,975,000

$3,400,000

86%

10

6

6

1402 Locust Ave, RUXTON

$1,975,000

$1,685,422

85%

100

5

3

8512 Huntspring Dr, HUNTSPRING

$1,649,999

$1,610,000

97%

3

4

4

3 Whitfield Rd, GUILFORD

$1,397,000

$1,300,000

93%

13

5

5

901 Monaghan Ct, SMYTH PROPERTY

$1,049,000

$1,010,000

96%

519

6

5

1729 Circle Rd, RUXTON

$1,150,000

$1,000,000

87%

106

4

3

317 Meadowcroft Ln, MEADOWCROFT

$889,000

$877,000

99%

2

5

4

311 Meadowcroft Ln, MEADOWCROFT

$825,000

$790,000

96%

1

4

3

121 Upnor Rd, HOMELAND

$869,000

$789,000

91%

116

3

2

6438 Cloister Gate Dr, THE CLOISTERS AT CHARLES

$799,000

$762,500

95%

62

5

3

207 Club Rd, ROLAND PARK

$774,822

$757,000

102%

47

5

3

14 Dembeigh Hill Cir, DEMBEIGH HILL

$750,000

$740,000

98%

32

5

4

709 North Bend Rd, WEST TOWSON

$764,999

$735,000

96%

139

5

4

26 Old Boxwood Ln, BOXWOOD

$725,000

$700,000

96%

48

3

2

7001 Stonleigh Ct, STONELEIGH

$679,000

$675,000

99%

51

5

3

1917 Ruxton Rd, RUXTON

$675,000

$675,000

100%

0

3

2

5505 Kemper Rd, KEMPER GREEN

$714,900

$670,000

94%

80

4

2

8 Westspring Way, FIVE SPRINGS WEST

$670,000

$670,000

100%

6

4

3

200 Tunbridge Rd, HOMELAND

$679,000

$630,000

93%

104

4

3

7100 Copeleigh Rd, STONELEIGH

$615,000

$585,000

95%

76

4

2

Sampling of sold properties from Bright MLS, Inc. for October 2017 Properties may have been listed & sold by other companies *DOM=Days On Market

ASHLEY’S FEATURED LISTINGS

Stoneleigh | $775,000

Cedarcroft | $373,000

Spring Lake| $500,000

Listings Courtesy of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Ashley Richardson CRS, GRI, ABR

Cell 410-868-1474

Office 410-377-2270

Ashley.Richardson@LongandFoster.com

GBBR 2018

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Lake Roland Office 6080 Falls Road Baltimore, MD 21209

www.AshleyRichardson.net

www.StoneleighHomes.net

January 2018 | Towson Lifestyle

29

J A N U A RY

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR Year with their annual New Year’s

1

Day Baroque Celebration featuring

FABERGE AND THE RUSSIAN CRAFTS TRADITION

the beloved first-chair instrumentalists of the Bach in Baltimore Orchestra playing their favorite

6, 19 & 20 BALTIMORE BLAST INDOOR SOCCER

Walters Art Museum

Baroque works by Bach, Telemann,

Learn about the creation and history of

Handel and Vivaldi. Admission is

Towson’s new professional sports team

the Walter’s two famed Faberge eggs.

$20 in advance or $22 at the door.

takes on league rivals Harrisburg Heat

SECU Arena at Towson University

on January 6 and 20 and the Kan-

1

VARIOUS DATES

FIRST DAY HIKE 2018

TOWSON UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL

Lake Roland Nature Center

Start the new year off right with a

SECU Arena at Towson University

morning hike around Lake Roland,

The Towson Tigers men's basketball

guided by a park ranger.

team has six home games in January: January 5 vs. University of North Car-

1 A NEW YEAR’S DAY BAROQUE CELEBRATION! Zion Lutheran Church

Bach in Baltimore rings in the New

sas City Comets on January 19. Visit BaltimoreBlast.com for game times.

7 BACH IN BALTIMORE: WINTER CELEBRATION Grace United Methodist

olina-Wilmington, January 7 vs. Col-

Enjoy selected Bach and Handel piec-

lege of Charleston, January 11 vs. Hof-

es at Bach in Baltimore's Winter Cel-

stra, January 18 vs. Drexel, January 25

ebration. This performance features

vs. The College of William & Mary and

Charles Humphries, one of the most

January 27 vs. Elon. For game times

sought-after countertenors worldwide.

and tickets, visit TowsonTigers.com

Christopher Schroeder will open the CONTINUED >

BETSY ROYALL PHOTOGRAPHY HEADSHOTS

W W W. B E TSY. P H OTO S 410-493-7322

30

Towson Lifestyle | January 2018

ca p turi ng p erso na l i ty throug h p i ctures

your Smile is our specialty Dr. Elizabeth B. Spannhake

SPECIALIST IN ORTHODONTICS - BOARD CERTIFIED

• Providing patients with beautiful, healthy smiles using state of the art technology

• InvisalignTM - the clear way to a great smile

• Intraoral scanning- no impressions

SpannhakeOrthodontics.com 410.321.5004 | 7801 York Rd. Suite 315

2018

THIS IS WHAT SUMMER FUN LOOKS LIKE!

More than 20 day camps to choose from for boys and girls ages 4 to 13 FRIENDS SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE • 410-649-3218 • WWW.FSCAMP.ORG

online!

V I SI T US

Towson

L

I

F

E

S

T

Y

L

E

™

WHAT ’S ON OUR WEBSITE? • • • •

Past Issues Current Articles Business Directory Contest Registration VISIT US AT TowsonLifestyle.com January 2018 | Towson Lifestyle

31

You receive a $100 Gift Card!

For booking your 1st vacation with Frank & Irene Eff’s Dream Vacations!

Frank & Irene Eff’s

We represent All Major Travel Vendors

Ocean Cruises

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www.DreamTeamVacations.com New Clients/ Bookings Only. Minimums may apply.

Gift Card delivered after final payment. Offer ends 06/30/2018.

LIFESTYLE CALENDAR program as the organ soloist for the

month: January 12 vs. University of

magnificent Handel Organ Concerto.

North Carolina-Wilmington and Jan-

Admission is $20 in advance or $22

uary 28 vs. Elon. For game times and

at the door.

tickets, visit TowsonTigers.com

21 EDIBLE GREENS AND PIZZA IN WINTER Cromwell Valley Nature Center

Discover what winter plant species are

9

13 & 27

MAUD CASEY AND MARK DURANT: THE ART OF MYSTERY: THE SEARCH FOR QUESTIONS

THE CLOISTERS OPEN HOUSE PLUS SERIES

The Ivy Book Shop

wedding/bridal Open House Plus se-

Acclaimed novelist Maud Casey deliv-

ries with vendors including caterers,

ers the fourteenth volume in the "Art of"

photographers, florists, DJs, etc. from

series and discusses mystery in fiction.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Admission

The Borromeo String Quartet pairs its

is $20 in advance or $22 at the door.

fierce and fiery playing with the spir-

The Cloisters

The Cloisters will be hosting its annual

edible and how they can be used as flavorful pizza toppings.

28 BORROMEO STRING QUARTET AND BENJAMIN HOCHMAN, PIANO John Hopkins University Shriver Hall

ited agility of Israeli-born pianist Ben-

12 & 13

JAN 19-FEB 3

MARYLAND STATE THESPIAN FESTIVAL Towson University

Show and share your love of theatre at this year’s state thespian festival.

BALTIMORE COUNTY 2018 WINTER RESTAURANT WEEK

jamin Hochman. The program features string quartets by Mendelssohn and Sebastian Currier, as well as Dvořák's dynamic Piano Quintet. Regular admission is $42, $10 for non-Hopkins

Various Locations

students; Free for Johns Hopkins stu-

The Baltimore County Office of Tourism

dents with valid ID.

and Promotion and the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce are once

12 & 28

again joining forces to promote two weeks of delicious and affordable dining

TOWSON UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

31

at dozens of participating restaurants

2018 MEGA NETWORKING EVENT

throughout the county. Each restaurant

Sheraton Baltimore North

SECU Arena at Towson University

will be offering prix fixe menus rang-

Network with businesses throughout

The Towson Tigers women's basket-

ing from $15 to $35. BaltimoreCounty

Baltimore County at this event hosted

ball team has two home games this

RestaurantWeek.com

by Towson’s Chamber of Commerce.

COSMETIC, FAMILY, AND RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY

Providing the Opportunity for Optimal Oral Health

Dr. Devon Conklin & Dr. Charlie Ward

1104 Kenilworth Dr., Suite 102 Towson, Maryland 21204

(410) 583-7010 | WardByrne.com | wbcdental@gmail.com January 2018 | Towson Lifestyle

33

LOCAL’S CHOICE ARTICLE MATT HOBSON | PHOTOGRAPHY JUSTIN TSUCALAS AND SHANE CARPENTER

THE

Art, Science and Magic of Hex Ferments THE FERMENTED FOODS AND DRINKS MADE BY MEAGHAN AND SHANE CARPENTER, OWNERS OF HEX FERMENTS IN BELVEDERE SQUARE, APPEAL TO THE EYES AS WELL AS THE PALATE. Deep yellow sauerkrauts, brilliant orange kimchis and bottles of kombucha tea that look like liquid jewels—these are just a few of the gorgeous, delicious creations Hex offers.

Meaghan and Shane both come from families that grew and preserved their own food, so when the couple settled in the Baltimore area, they sought a way to continue this tradition.

“We helped start two community gardens,” Meaghan says.

These days, they source the highest-quality organic produce from local farms.

“Peak produce, grown locally without pesticides—that is the first and most important part of the HEX philosophy,” Shane says.

They put a portion of their profits back into the local agriculture Meaghan and Shane Carpenter.

Photography by Justin Tsucalas

community, helping young farmers build their operations.

The couple’s interest in fermentation grew from conversations with other community gardeners about cooking and sustainable living.

Photography by Shane Carpenter.

“Soon, with an abundance of cabbage and vegetables, we started making sauerkraut 10 gallons at a time," Meaghan says.

At first, the couple jarred what they made in the kitchen to give as gifts, but soon friends began encouraging them to go into business.

“We didn’t directly pursue a life of being a fermentation business,” Shane says. “It pursued us!”

The process of fermentation is a time-consuming one involving patience and precise technical know-how.

“We don’t take shortcuts,” Meaghan says. “Each step in the process, from farm to fermentation, involves great care.”

The result is a line of distinct, delectable creations with bold flavors that will satisfy every craving.

To learn about the myriad health benefits that come from eating super-nutritious fermented foods, visit HexFerments.com or stop by the store at Belvedere Square Market. 529 E. Belvedere Ave. 34

Towson Lifestyle | January 2018