Llseptoctdigitalissue 2013

September | October 2013

Local Living

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HOME | COMMUNITY | LIFE FEATURES 36 Debi Mazar & Gabriele Corcos Keeping It Fresh 34 East Coast Wine Touring: Yes! 62 WTF: Autumn in Paris what’s cooking 48 Fork-1-1 explains the super-sized nutrients Ingrained in Grains!

40 Drinks For and By the Locals: Philadelphia Distilling & Free Will travel 60 Delaware: Small State, Great Adventure 76 Sweat, Shred & Sashay at Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City 96 Local Goes Local: Lake Champlain, Vermont living 6

Local Living September | October 2013

fashion 52 Occasions Boutique humor 15 Introducing Male Bag: Father Knows Best?

57 Musings of Motherhood: Modern Martha, Why Try to Do It All? 79 BackTalk: Trick-or-Treat, I Can See Your Cheeks fashion 50 Introducing Duchesse Gabrielle’s Beauty Lab law & finance 17 Harvest Group Financial Services and Financial Divorce Plan LLC 73 The Seiler Group: Money is Only Part of the Story 74 Lemon Laws: Know Your Rights

health 65 Public, Private, Charter and Blended Schools

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real estate 23 Gateway Funding profiles 19 Black-eyed Susan’s 66 PA Cyber Charter School 10 New World Aviation 70 Centennial Lending Group, LLC 84 St. Luke’s University Health Network 89 Matthew Weldon Gelber MS MFT 81 Denture Excellence of Blue Bell

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September | October 2013

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Local Living

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In The Know ... On The Go!

Living

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Publisher Karen A. Lavery

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Warren Media Group, Inc.

Editor-in-Chief Sharyl Volpe Art Director Terry Seale

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Subscriptions For changes of address, questions about your current subscription, or to purchase a subscription for yourself or as gift for someone else, call (215) 257-8400 Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm EST. We are also listed on www.magazines.com.

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Letters to the Editor It’s “Your Home. Your Community. Your Life.”

We want to hear about it. Email the Editor-inChief Sharyl Volpe at svolpe@warrenmediagroup. com, or write to us at:

Local Living Magazine Attn: Editor in Chief 2045 Bennett Road Philadelphia, PA 19116

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Local Living September | October 2013

Writer Queries or Solicitations If you’ve got a must-read story or a good idea for an upcoming issue, what are you waiting for? Email us or send it through the mail at the respective addresses in the section above. (Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your mail. Local Living Magazine does not assume any responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.)

Online, Facebook & Twitter Visit our website for features, contests and digital versions of each issue: www.locallivingmag.com.

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Reprints & Back Issues High-quality reprints of articles are available, as well as entire previous issues. Make your request by calling (215) 257-8400 Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm EST. Local Living Magazine makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without permission from Local Living Magazine.

Director of Sales Blair W. Johnson Fashion & Beauty Editor Gabrielle Mwangi Food Editor Kimberly Cambra Real Estate Advisor Peter Buchsbaum, Gateway Funding Director of Photography Amy McDermott Contributing Photographers Jason A. Bleecher, Mike Hirata Photography, Michael Upton Contributing Writers Diane Burns, Jillian Dunn, Donna Dvorak, Drew Giorgi, Jenn Hallman, Marta Hobbs, Loretta D. Hutchinson, Blair Johnson, Pattie Krukowski, Gabrielle Mwangi, Carla PapciakGlatts, Michele Kawamoto Perry, Andrea Preziotti, Michael J. Sacks, Susan Taylor, Michael Upton, Lisa Walters, Katie E. Warren, Thomas Seiler Intern Kieran Tebben

“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only thing you know.”

L

ocal Living stems from my passion to celebrate exceptional accomplishments of women, most of whom are unsung heroines. This desire has been nurtured by the remarkable women within my family, especially my sister-in-law Cathy Giovinazzo Burns who epitomized strength, courage and tenacity in both her personal and professional pursuits. Her six-year battle with ovarian cancer inspired me and everyone else who knew her. And though her battle ended too soon, her courageous spirit will continue to live on through her beloved children and grandchildren.

There are many inspirational women making tremendous personal strides. It is important that we continually recognize and celebrate those successes. We can draw on the invaluable wisdom and experiences of such women and be inspired by their examples.

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. It is expected that over 22,200 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and 15,000 women will lose their lives to the disease this year alone in the United States. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and although many great strides have been made in breast cancer awareness and treatment, there remains much to be accomplished. Women usually do not talk about gynecological issues, but we need to stop the silence. Ask questions.

Become informed. Talk to you doctor. For more information on both of these issues you can visit www.ovarian.org | www.nbcam.org.

As our publication continues to evolve, we look forward to sharing inspirational features and insightful articles with you.

I hope Local Living inspires you to pursue your passions, strive for excellence in your professional pursuits and live life to the fullest!

Enjoy your autumn,

Karen A. Lavery

Medical Contributors Jonathan Fashbaugh, Matt Gelber, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Account Executives Cynthia Price, Michael Shapiro, Jim Vanore Marketing & PR Kathleen M. McNicholas Accounting Manager Marge Rudzinski Courier Services Harrisburg News Company WARREN MEDIA GROUP, INC. Headquarters 2045 Bennett Road / Philadelphia, PA 19116 Sales & Production 530 West Butler Ave / Chalfont, PA 18914 Phone: (215) 257-8400 / Fax: (215) 464-9303 www.locallivingmag.com www.info@warrenmediagroup.com

In Loving Memory Of Catherine Giovinazzo Burns

September | October 2013

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editor’s page

Editor’s Letter

S

ome people say they love fall, but no one loves this season more than I do. It’s a fact. (You could Google it, but I know you are too busy.) So you can understand why it brings me great joy to announce our September October issue as having some of best stories too.

Yes, I have said this before. It was true then too.

Part of our excitement this season is due to our role as media sponsor for Philadelphia’s 2013 TASTE, Festival of Food, Wine and Spirits. Our feature conversation with Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos, was as much fun as it sounds. They are headlining this year’s event along with a huge host of other culinary luminaries.

Single parents, dads and moms alike, will appreciate another new column we are introducing, Blair Johnson’s “Male Bag.” He writes a humorous, sometimes wry take on the most important juggling act there is.

Other seasonal favorites include home tips for clean lines and smooth surfaces (to make room for the Jack-o-Lanterns) and how to enjoy touring some of the best vineyards around. WTF: Welcome to France paints a lovely impression of the Parisian autumn, and we’ve even included a guide to a meditative walk through your nearest cemetery.

You’ll be the ultimate judge, but do let us know. Enjoy our favorite walk through your home, your life, and your community.

Building endless possibilities.

Happy pumpkin picking!

Sharyl Volpe Editor-in-Chief PA License #004260

215.345.1953 jrmaxwellbuilders.com 10

Local Living September | October 2013

New World Aviation: Making A World Of Difference, In The Stratosphere And Beyond

N

ew World Aviation is a leading boutique-styled aviation company providing Aircraft Management, Worldwide Charter, and complete Maintenance Support for a fleet of Gulfstream, Challenger, Hawker, and Learjet aircraft. Our capabilities and extensive experience allow us to deliver a wide range of aviation services that are tailored to meet your individual aviation needs, now and into the future. Charter is simply the most cost-effective means of flying in a private executive jet.

Gulfstream IV 12

Local Living September | October 2013

Since commencing operations in 1998, New World Aviation’s exacting standards have earned us a leader’s reputation in worldwide charter, aircraft management, maintenance and avionics support. Our team is comprised of highly specialized professionals from experienced flight crewmembers, knowledgeable maintenance and avionics technicians to stellar administrative support personnel. We have recently partnered with The Phoenix Aeronautical Group to handle our full service aircraft purchases and acquisitions division, giving our clients a complete spectrum of aviation services. New World Aviation has also joined forces with Inflight Training Solutions to further enhance our Flight Operations department.

September | October 2013

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Lear 45 Safety remains New World Aviation’s priority. Our unrelenting dedication to safety exceeds the highest standards in the aviation industry with our certifications through the Aviation Research Group, US (ARG/US®) and Wyvern Wingman™, along with our registration with the International Standards for Business Aircraft Operations (ISBAO) and is a testament of our continued commitment. To put our safety commitment into perspective, in 2012 our fleet flew 2,250 hours and transported 3,675 passengers more than 3.3 million passenger miles. That equates to 132 times around the world – completely incident free!!

this important part of our foundation for our ongoing success of delivering value to our customers, employees, and all stakeholders. The expertise and commitment shared by all team members, combined with our ever-expanding fleet of aircraft, make New World Aviation one of the nation’s fastest growing “boutique style” aviation companies.

For more information, visit www.newworldaviation.com or call (877) 359-0100 or (610) 231-9555.

In our vision of private aviation, success only comes when we serve the individual client at a measurably higher standard than the status quo. We do not strive to be the biggest. Our mission is clear; New World Aviation wants to be the best for you.

Our Mission New World Aviation is a team committed to creating a travel experience by engaging in a target market with capable solutions including, but not limited to, unsurpassed safety and security through dedication and passion to provide quality and excellence for our customers.

SEPTEMBER 3 - OCTOBER 20

Our Vision To become the leading boutique styled Aviation Company offering a world of difference in high quality customer service and aviation needs.

Our values incorporate every aspect of safety, security, quality, service, ingenuity and performance. Communication and professionalism equals satisfaction and reliability.

Our commitment to safety is the cornerstone of our success, past, present, and future. This commitment drives our dedication to hold ourselves to the utmost standards of business conduct. Our values are a critical part of who we are as a company today and into the future. We continue to demonstrate our performance with integrity to strengthen 14

Local Living September | October 2013

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Local Living

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Father Knows Best?

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grew up around the American Dream of the suburban family a la “Father Knows Best” and “Leave It to Beaver.” Was that utopia really that long ago? Did it even ever really exist? And where the Hell was Father most of the time? Was he just a threat for family justice at 5:30 pm?

“Wait until your father gets home!”

Meanwhile, Mom had cleaned diapers, cooked dinners, helped with homework, and had everyone cleaned up and smiling at the dinner table just in time for the inevitable, “Honey, I’m home!”

Fast forward to 2013, the present day. Lots of single parents raising tomorrow’s leaders. Got you thinking huh? Poor single moms, right? Well, again, welcome to the present: There are a growing number of single dads raising tomorrow’s leaders too.

These single dads are the hunters, gatherers, breadwinners, nurturers, pants wearers, gourmet chefs and flapjack flippers, homework helpers, and, oh yes!

My new favorite word of the year: “awkward.”

Awkward. I do not remember “Father” knowing that word, but in any case, welcome to my new world.

Now, for the lighter side.

Why is your hair graying? Why is your metabolism shifting? Let’s not even talk about energy levels. You feel like you’re getting dumber and dumber every day… what about those initials that come over on a text? What the Hell does all that mean??

Clarity. Drama Free. Good luck ladies and gentlemen.

Funny, when my child was still aged in the single digits, I was cool. I was the coolest. I was just a notch below wearing a cape. But as perceptions and paradigms shift, so do the opinions of young minds. So I say, don’t change

Originally from New Orleans, Blair Johnson, Consultant, writer, creator, and compulsive over-thinker, currently lives in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, with his daughter and dog.

Hello indeed. Welcome to the “Male Bag,” this guy’s view of our changing, be-it-all landscape.

Local Living September | October 2013

or compromise your own morals and ideals but let go of prevailing dogmas and situations that will not allow you to change your perspective with new information. Cool is a state of mind; I did not change, but my daughter’s lenses might have. Protect, provide and, most of all, love.

Face it, the music you like and could relate to in the ‘70s and ‘80s might as well have been made by cavemen. Some of them looked like caveman, so I understand the confusion. Even if it is better than what is out there today, you will have better luck teaching your dog the pledge of allegiance than having your kids take it seriously. I can feel a new generation of kids rolling their eyes in unison. Maybe Father “knew” best, but no one was really listening to him or his music anyway. A toast to all you single dads (and single moms too). Salud!

Until the next Male Bag, Viva Life!

Hello single dads, hello awkward.

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By Blair Johnson

FINANCE

Divorce and Your Financial Plan Loretta D. Hutchinson CDFA, NCC

This fall, make some cool changes around the house.

Renovate the kitchen. Update the bath. Add a family room.

Buy new appliances. Put a fresh coat of paint on the walls.

Not only are these changes beautiful, but they can also increase your home’s overall value.

Home improvements can cost you less than you think this fall with a Home Equity Line of Credit. Rates are very low and you can write yourself a check whenever you want, for whatever you want.

So rake in the savings and enjoy the change.

Hatboro

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Warminster: Saturday 9 am - noon • Lending Office: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5 pm

Are you or someone you know going through a separation or divorce?

Divorce is a challenging life transition. The decisions you make during this time will affect your future not only personally but financially as well.

The financial details of the separation agreement and the divorce decree will spell out what each party can expect in regards to adjustments in income and what assets will become your property. Couples today have various investments, retirement plans, cash value life insurance policies, stock options and family owned businesses which make the division of property a financially complex decision. When reviewing your financial options, be sure you understand the long term implications of the divorce agreements on your personal financial plan.

If you are in the initial stages of a divorce, chances are your emotional and financial lives are in chaos. On top of that, the requirement to supply financial documentation can seem daunting. Guestimates and lack of information can completely derail the accurate reporting that is the basis of a sound divorce settlement.

Who can assist you in understanding the financial issues in a Divorce?

As a Financial Advisor and Wealth Manager, I work with individuals going through various financial transitions… whether it be selling a business, moving into retirement or going through a separation and divorce. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA™), I have specialized training, expertise and hands on experience to help you in understanding the financial ramifications of various divorce settlement proposals. I frequently work with both divorcing individuals and couples to educate and forecast the long-term effects of various divorce settlement options, including tax liabilities and benefits, develop detailed household budgets to avoid post-divorce financial “buyer’s remorse”, and help you think through what your divorce will realistically cost in the long run. My assistance is often welcomed by divorce attorneys and mediators and provides professional, efficient, and cost-effective services that may enable you to achieve the very best possible settlement.

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WARMINSTER 215.672.1010

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You should think of your divorce as a financial transaction in which the assets and liabilities are to be divided between you and your spouse. In the same way

a lawyer is a legal expert who is trained to handle legal issues (such as child custody and support payments), a financial specialist, a CDFA™, is trained to analyze your financial data and provide you with sound financial advice regarding the divorce. As a CDFA, I provide detailed and clear financial analysis to you and your mediator or attorney.

Using a CDFA™ can save you money and time during the divorce process. She can also help provide you with a clearer view of your financial future as a single adult.

With that clarity, you can negotiate a divorce settlement that fully addresses your immediate financial needs as well as avoid long-term financial pitfalls due to poor choices based on the lack of financial intelligence. A legal settlement that floats back and forth between attorneys, without the client having a clear understanding of all financial ramifications, can be detrimental, time consuming and expensive. As a CDFA™ professional, I educate my clients by providing a thorough knowledge and understanding of the oftencomplicated financial decisions.

Looking for retirement or financial divorce planning from someone you can trust? Loretta Hutchinson CDFA, NCC is a Financial Advisor with Harvest Group

Financial Services and Financial Divorce Plan, LLC. Loretta was awarded the Five Star Wealth Manager Award for 2012 & 2013 and the 2013 Woman’s Choice Award for Financial Advisors. You can contact Loretta at 215-8606056 and Loretta@HarvestGroupFinancial. com. Sign up for our divorce newsletter at FinancialDivorcePlan.com.

September | October 2013

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By Susan Taylor

T

hat urge to purge hits all of us occasionally. The trending towards minimalism and clean lines embraces this need, calling us all to re-examine what we live with. Having been a serious collector for many years hasn’t helped my “stash” shall we call it? Books, silver trays, monogramed silverware, cake plates, butter pats, and glass cloches just to name some of my favorites… I have too many. So, when the opportunity came my way to write about clutter free spaces, I had to turn a blind eye to the massive amounts of my favorite things that are sitting in piles, waiting to be sorted and placed in new homes. If you’ve been following my articles, you know that I have been in a long drawn out process of re-designing many of my personal spaces. Now the task of editing and incorporating my favorite things into my new chic look is challenging!

Let’s face it: the style now is to revel in clean, pure minimalism. But it doesn’t have to be boring. “X” may mark the spot, but so do triangles, circles and squares. Reinventing the modern lifestyle with geometry-inspired designs can provoke and captivate this look, leading to uncluttered and interesting personal design. And how do I work some of my favorite and cherished collections into the mix?

I’ve replaced many of my crystal dripped vintage chandeliers (28 to be exact) with modern drum shaded fixtures. I’m in love with the high gloss orange one I hung in the family room. There are still crystal accents, but they are modern bubbles, not multi-faceted 100 year old ones. Mirrors are style-infused and sizzling hot. They are cleaner and less carved-round sunbursts or glamorous mirrored frames around the mirror itself. Perhaps a high gloss lacquered one… navy you say?

passé. While there is always a place for generational photographs, they should be framed to be used as larger wall art and kept in more personal spaces such as bedrooms and hallways.

Even the style of our floral accents has changed to a more minimal attraction. I had a pang of sadness when I sold the massive and stunningly colorful center hall arrangement that had dressed my foyer library table for ten years. Consider using three of a kind, perhaps tall clear cylinders with dramatic orchids. Yes, it’s more towards the clean and exact.

Finding order in the new direction of interior design is simple with the right inspiration. Browse through your favorite publications and stroll through the most current retail design studios. You’ll be inspired and with a little help from your trusted design professional, you will find your perfect mix.

It’s all about style. Clean, pure style. Now, what about those 20 cake plates?

I’m pretty sure I can work them into my plan.

I like cake.

Susan Taylor is the Designer and Owner of Black-eyed Susan.

And then there’s the art. Vibrant watercolors, exotic batiks and lots of navy and white. Clean, crisp stripes and chevron patterns call for a look of more order. The masses of personal photographs dotting multiple surfaces are

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There are a number of clever ways to rid yourself of your excess spoils.

Yard sales, online sales and consignment shops to name a few. When we lived in Vermont, there were 2 retired ladies in our town that monopolized the barn sale business. For a portion of the proceeds, they came into your home and did the whole thing for you. Some consignment shops will come to you with a trailer in tow. They examine the pieces you are interested in selling and after agreeing on a price, they load them up and haul them away. Your percentage of the profit will be sent to you via check when your pieces actually sell minus the shop’s percentage. Other services will give you a flat amount for the whole lot and you can take it or leave it right there on the spot. Take pictures of good quality items and antiques and share them with a number of re-sale locations that specialize in that particular item via Internet or in person for the best offer. Donate unwanted items to charity and get a tax write-off.

Is

b igger really always better? Don’t “big things come in small packages”? When it comes to downsizing your living space, less can be more. My builder husband has taught me this first hand. In the past 20 years, we have lived in 8 homes that tipped both sides of the size scale. In several short years, we went from 15,000 square feet to 5,000 square feet to 2,500 square feet of living space. That, my friends, is the definition of downsizing. Overstuffed couches previously placed at angles to take up extra space overwhelmed our latest rooms and ended up in a garage sale to make room for a sleeker size and style. The existing closet in one guest room was transformed into a full bathroom. An oversized TV armoire fitted with a clothes rack and pull out drawers now solely hosts a guest’s hanging clothes as the newer flat screen takes up virtually no space hanging on the wall. The riding lawn mower was replaced with an electric, plug-in version.

Weekends are now spent going away on mini vacations rather than clearing 3 acres of poison ivy and spreading endless mounds of mulch.

Whether you are looking to retire or have just tired of living for your home, downsizing can be an upgrade to your lifestyle, not to mention a completely cathartic way of living. Property taxes, utility costs and maintenance fees shrink. Now you can actually afford to have the cleaning service come every week as opposed to every other. Lawn care is a breeze when you pay someone else to do it, or better yet, strategically plant low water usage foliage and ground cover for a nearly maintenance free yard. Bury a soaker hose in key areas of the garden and install a timer and the plants take care of themselves. With a smaller home, all-important private outside space becomes a much needed extension of the inside. Pergola roofs and covered patios are key. Create a visual flow of colors and styles from the room that houses the exit to your exterior. Potted palms in matching cachepots placed both inside and outside of glass exterior doors constitute continuum. Throws and pillows in duplicate hues tossed on indoor and outdoor seating continues the sequence. Pendant lantern lights hung above a kitchen island can be ordered in matching outdoor wall sconces.

Living Large in Your Downsized Home

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Local Living September | October 2013

When looking for the right smaller home, get a copy of the floor plan.

That way you can measure the furniture and items you intend to keep and insure it will fit. Take out non-load bearing walls or sections of walls in a smaller abode and give it a larger overall feel. High ceilings make any space feel grand and taller than average doors further accentuate the grand feel.

With less room, open spaces may be too exposing, especially if you have little kids that chase each other with Nerf guns or big kids that come home with friends during spring break. Glass pocket doors will be your best protection from the interior elements. Leave open when life is serene. Close when life is hectic. Attractive storage comes in many shapes and sizes.

Built in wall-units harbor everything from shoes to toys. Lockers either custom built or pieced together from IKEA and placed in mudrooms, laundry rooms or near secondary exit doors shelter items from pet supplies to school bags to sports and camping gear. Garages are also the perfect place for floor to ceiling storage units. Organization is key. Central vacuums can be installed in existing homes or new builds and are surprisingly affordable. Dumbwaiters and intercoms add to the efficiency of your new space.

Don’t get me wrong, Iiving in the 15,000 square foot home was so much fun. That being said, for cost purposes, our thermostat during the winter was permanently placed on “a number of degrees below comfortable” and friends that frequented knew to include long underwear in their attire when dropping by for dinner. Live and learn.

Pattie Krukowski is a freelance writer and interior decorator currently residing in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

When making the commitment to downsize, start with the “less is more” theory. Go from room to room and ask yourself, “When was the last time this was used?” Be honest about that treadmill, that floor length shearling coat and that set of encyclopedias. Always keep the pieces you adore. Your grandmother’s dresser can be used as a bar. Baby’s crib can be renovated into a bench. A dining room table can be cut down to cocktail table height and used in the dual function family/great room between 2 same-sized couches. “Priceless” tchotchkes can be displayed in a curio coffee table or amongst books on bookshelves.

By Pattie Krukowski September | October 2013

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style. luxe. life.

You Ask, Peter Answers...

By Peter Buchsbaum

Oskar Huber is the only 4th generation family furniture business in the tri-state area that has been providing the world’s best designed furniture for discerning homeowners since 1927. From fabric swatches to floor planning, we help you turn your house into a home, an expression of you. Come visit us to experience the uniqueness of our showroom and let us help you live a better designed life.

R

ecently the number of first time homebuyers has fallen off from historic levels. There are many reasons for the drop (e.g., housing affordability drops as prices and interest rates rise, and there are tighter credit rules). Because I believe that all housing recoveries work from the bottom up, as in the “move up” buyer needs to sell his home to a first time buyer to be able to move up, I find the recent trend disturbing.

w w w. o s k a r h u b e r. c o m

After reading several articles asking what the new generation of First Time Home Buyers are worried about, I surveyed the people that settled last year and my current pipeline of pre-approved borrowers. The results are reflected in the questions they asked below. Some of the worry is actually translated into serious immobilizing anxiety.

Q: What happens if I am pre-approved based on the rate today but those rates rise?

A: This may or may not be an issue. If you were pre-approved below the threshold we use, then small increases in payment will not put you over the top (i.e., for each $1,000 borrowed the cost is typically under $6 per month).

Q: What happens if I am pre-approved for a home purchase price now but the cost of the house is more at a later date?

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A: This is along the lines of the previous question. If we pre-approved you at your very outer limit then this would cause an issue.

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Q: So I want to move and beat the next price increase but I feel like I am settling for any home available. Is this normal?

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A: This is a hard question to answer fairly. I am not a fan of settling for less than you want when spending this much money but people do

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need to understand you are buying a house. What you do to it is what makes it a home.

Q: I have no idea if I am capable of getting a mortgage. Where do I start?

A: It all begins with a discussion about what is comfortable for the borrower. From there we look at credit, then income, then savings. The credit is a great beginning because it gives you time to work on any issues that may exist.

Q: What happens if the value of my new purchase drops after I buy?

A: I believe that a home purchase is a long-term event, not a quick in and out investment. Values as we have seen do rise and fall in cycles. The value of your home should mean very little if you have a payment that fits your income and lifestyle.

Each homebuyer will have different and specific needs. Please feel free to call and ask your specific questions so that we may tailor a loan to meet your needs.

Gateway Funding Diversified Mortgage Services, L.P. NMLS #1071; Peter Buchsbaum , (NMLS #133257) is Licensed as a NJ Mortgage Loan Originator License (#9409934); Licensed by the PA Department of Banking (Mortgage Originator License #25455). The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to Gateway Funding Diversified Mortgage Services. Rates, Terms, Fees, Products, Programs and Equity requirements are subject to change without notice.

For qualified borrowers only. © 2012 Gateway Funding Diversified Mortgage Services, L.P. Equal Housing Lender.

September | October 2013

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profile

Like any product there are many hidden ways to reduce costs in the manufacturing process. Great efficiencies in inventory control and manufacturing provide real savings while maintaining the integrity of the product. A granite company using the best practices in the industry, the highest quality epoxies, diamond tooling and machinery, and continuously innovating provides a different product than a producer using the lowest quality products and methods to manufacture a countertop. A wise consumer knows the difference and will make an investment with lasting value.

2011 with the “Vendor of the Year”, and received Angie’s List “Super Service Award”. In addition to serving the retail customer, Suburban Marble & Granite, Inc. is the exclusive granite supplier in Bucks County to many national customers.

Suburban Marble & Granite, Inc. 1010 Pulinski Road | Jacksonville Industrial Park

Suburban Marble & Granite, Inc. of Warminster is the largest fabricator in Bucks County and a market leader in the natural stone industry since its inception 20 years ago. Their staff of 50 professionals and 36,000 square feet of facilities is dedicated to providing customers an unsurpassed experience.

Maximize Your Granite Investment O

ver the past decade the trend in countertops for both new construction and kitchen remodeling has been the granite countertop. This trend is here to stay as the beauty, durability and lasting value of natural stone is unsurpassed by any other product available on the market. Granite countertops fabricated and installed correctly are an investment that holds its value, is functional and provides a touch of class to any home. Remember: your granite countertop is an investment that will be enjoyed for decades. Learn how to maximize that investment.

There are many misconceptions in the granite countertop buying process and granite companies are not doing a good enough job in educating their customers about the right questions to ask and best practices in the industry.

FIVE IMPORTANT FACTORS

1. K NOW YOUR FABRICATOR: Research their reputation for quality work. Use a fabricator that does not out-source their inventory, template, fabrication or installation. Many finer points of a job are missed if the job is not handled under one roof. Additionally, uninsured workers in your home represent unneeded risks. Does your fabricator possess the right trucks and equipment to install the largest pieces of stone or are you accepting smaller pieces to fit their vehicles?

2. K NOW YOUR STONE: See your full slab before purchasing as no two dye lots are exactly alike and small samples are not a good repre26

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Ivyland, PA 18974 • 215-734-9100 (P) www.suburbanmarble.com

Over their 20-year history they have perfected the purchasing of select materials and the processes of templating, fabrication and installation with over 20,000 completed projects. Their success in the granite industry continues to be recognized by the community with recent 2010 and 2011 “Best of Bucks” and “COTY” awards. They were awarded by the local National Association of Remodelers (“NARI”) chapter in

sentation of what many stones look like. Full slabs also let you identify the amount of pits and fissures in the slab. Waiting until after template to see your slab will create unnecessary delays if a problem arises.

3. KNOW THE PROCESS: Digital templating and computerized cutting machines have revolutionized the granite countertop industry. The accuracy of the fit, quality of machined edges/seams and computerized sink cutouts provide the highest quality countertops available.

Cutting and shaping granite in your home (and the dust that comes with it) are a thing of the past. Only serious fabricators have made the heavy investment in training and machinery necessary to produce granite at the highest levels.

4. KNOW YOUR SEAMS: You want to see and feel examples of seams, know how many will be in your job, and the placement of the seams.

While seams are almost always necessary, the quality, amount and placement vary greatly among fabricators and can affect the final price and outcome of the job.

5. KNOW THEIR PRACTICES: Is your fabricator recycling 100% of the water used to make your kitchen? Is stone waste being recycled into roads or going in landfills? Is your fabricator OSHA compliant and protecting its workers? Reward fabricators that are practicing sustainable production methods.

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Excellent Service - Quality Craftsmanship

Bucks County’s Holiday  Gift  Garden Destination

Custom Stone Hardscaping • New Construction • Restoration • Repairs Upcoming Events D56 Halloween Preview October 4th - 6th Christmas Open House November 8th - 10th Customer Appreciation November 15th - 17th

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856.857.1192NJ License: • AristonMasonry.com 13VH05644200

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Gwynedd Valley Contractors “Do it right the first time!”

W

ith over 30 years of experience in the painting and restoration industry, Gwynedd Valley Contractors has the expertise and knowledge to handle all your remodeling needs. As an owner-operated company, Kurt Haufler oversees every project for quality results.

Using a consistent crew of master painters, and skilled craftsmen, Kurt personally ensures your complete satisfaction. Special attention to preparation, cleanliness and detail is what has set them apart.

Because the GVC team has extensive experience in the building trades, unexpected problems can be corrected quickly. And the team guarantees that you will get the results you envisioned.

With demonstrated commitment to integrity, trust, and open communication, they are best in class. Also important to their operation is a sincere devotion to mentoring and teaching the next generation of tradesmen.

Residential & Commercial Painting Whatever your painting needs are, Gwynedd Valley Contractors are committed to finding solutions for the right products, application protocol, and equipment to deliver your project on time and on budget!

Architectural Restorations When you want your building restored to its original glory, count on premier architectural restoration services from Gwynedd Valley Contractors. Their experience in historical restorations, structural repairs and property development surpasses the test of time.

BEFORE

BEFORE 30

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BEFORE

Memberships/Associations: Historic Restorations | Painting Contractors of America Painting and Decorating Contractors of America | Certified Lead Paint-Safe Firm Call toll free (888) 970-8660 for more information.

Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. | 5-Star Customer Rating www.gvcontractors.com

Recommendations from well-satisfied customers Now that you are extremely close to finishing Barren Hill Road, I would like to tell you how beautiful the house looks, and what a nice job you have done with your renovations.

Thank you for your work.

—David O

We had the privilege of working with Kurt of GVC to design and construct a porch in the rear of our home. Kurt is an excellent, courteous communicator with an eye for details. He listened to our ideas and created a space that turned out to be much more than we could have imagined and one that we enjoy every day. The craftsmanship was superior. We have peace of mind and would work with Kurt again for a future project.

—Joe and Wendy of Worcester 32

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East Coast Wine Touring: Yes!

By Michele Kawamoto Perry

D

id you know that all 50 states of the United States of America make wine? Yes, it is true. Of course, not all of it is made from grapes – pineapple wine in Hawaii, honey wine in Colorado for example – but the passion for fermented fruit and plants is not reserved to California, Oregon and Washington alone. In fact, with the burgeoning wine industries right in our back yard, East Coast wine lovers can take a day to visit wineries without getting on a plane!

A truly good day of touring wineries requires some planning. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Map out your tour: You’ll want to allow about an hour at each winery you visit. So, decide which wineries you want to visit and calculate the distances between them. You may want to limit the number of wineries to four in a day.

Now that you are prepared, let’s try some wines. For this issue, we decided to explore some wineries in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The rolling hill and greenery in the Bucks County area is beautiful in and of itself, but coming upon the glorious vineyards is truly a magnificent sight, instantly transporting you to another world. Often the vineyards lie right on site by the wineries, so you can see the source of what is poured in your glass!

While we couldn’t review all the wines tasted on the tour, we have pointed out some “not to miss” wines during your visits.

NV (non-vintage) Crossing Vineyards and Winery Sauvignon Blanc Pale yellow in color. Aromas of grapefruit and passion fruit dominate the nose. Juicy notes of Meyer lemon and grapefruit bursting on the palate.

Well balanced wine with a slightly sweet pineapple finish. Ideal as a patio sipper with guests. $18 2008 Sand Castle Chardonnay Classic Medium yellow gold in color. Nice bouquet of melon, Golden Delicious apple and vanilla aromas. Flavors of Bosc pear, ripe Golden Delicious apple, lemon and a hint of butterscotch fill the palate. Good acid balance with a sweet cream finish. Enjoy with pasta in a cream sauce or roasted chicken. $17 2010 Chaddsford Winery Barbera Medium crimson in color. Aromas of raspberry, red plum and dried cranberry fill this bouquet with a hint of tarragon herb. Dried cranberries and raspberry are echoed on the palate with a touch of sun-dried tomato. Velvety tannins with good acid balance and a long finish. Pair with pasta or pork. $35

2009 Sand Castle Cabernet Sauvignon Medium to deep ruby red in color. Cherry, black currant, anise and hints of baking spice on the nose. Blackberry, dark plum, black currant flavors with slight earthy notes and tobacco on the palate. Smooth tannins, a dusty dark cocoa on the finish. Enjoy with a juicy steak or ribs. $30 NV (non-vintage) Wycombe Vineyards Dandelion Wine Pale / clear in color. D’Anjou pear, honeysuckle and fresh cut grass aromas leap out of the glass. Pears reappear on the palate along with honey, golden raisins, peach and roasted pineapple. A sweet dessert wine with nice acid balance. Lovely on its own or with a fruit tartlet or peach cobbler.

Be sure to chill well. $15 To get you started with planning your winery visits in DE, NJ, NY or PA, check out the following websites: Delaware: http://www.visitdelaware.com/wineandale/ New Jersey: http://www.newjerseywines.com/ New York: http://www.newyorkwines.org/ Pennsylvania: http://pennsylvaniawine.com/ Michele Kawamoto Perry is a wine industry veteran, sommelier, and international wine educator. Michele is a Certified Sommelier and instructor through the International Sommelier Guild, and co-owner of Rouge-Bleu winery in southern Rhone, France. She received her MBA from Bordeaux Business School with a focus on the wine industry, and her BA from Harvard University.

Credit card or cash: Wineries vary with regard to the cost of tasting fees.

Though some are free, many are not. Plus, if you really like something you taste, you may just decide to take home a bottle!

Designated driver: Be sure to assign a designated driver for the day. Also, remember that tasting rooms do have spittoons, so you do not have to drink everything poured in your glass. Just ask for a spittoon if you don’t see one.

Don’t skip lunch: Remember, wine is an alcoholic beverage, so it’s best not to go wine tasting on an empty stomach. Just be mindful of not eating anything with long lasting and potentially overpowering flavors like garlic or curry.

Keep hydrated: Bring a large bottle of water with you in the car.

While most wineries will offer you water, it’s good to keep hydrated in between.

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If

you ever get the chance to have a conversation with Debi Mazar and her husband Gabriele Corcos, you’ll come away feeling like you’ve got new friends. The charisma you see is the charisma you get. The popularity of their show, Extra Virgin, is proof that people want to eat good food and have a good time making it. In vintage heels.

LLM recently spoke with the couple to talk about their headlining role at the “TASTE Philadelphia Festival of Food, Wine and Spirits” at the Valley Forge Casino Resort in October.

Outside of a glittering repertoire as an actress, (Goodfellas, Entourage, Temporarily Yours, Dancing with the Stars, and more) Debi has been a life-long performer in the kitchen too. Setting the stage for famously fabulous dinner parties was always a part of what she loves doing.

Meet Gabriele Corcos, a professional musician by trade, culinary genius by nature. His band, Bossa Toscana, is the latest venture in a career including work with Jane’s Addiction, Eurythmics, and Extreme.

His irrepressible fascination with food, as well as music, inspires a passionate, distinctly dedicated homage to his Tuscan heritage.

It’s no wonder their chemistry is so potent.

Joined by marriage in 2002, the pair debuted a public but intimate window into their real culinary life at home with an online cooking series in 2007.

Called “Under the Tuscan Gun”, the blog and online videos were dedicated to fresh, authentic Tuscan cooking. Gabriele’s determination to share the wholesome traditions handed down to him as a youth in the Olive Country of Fiesole proved to be enormously popular.

Extra Virgin was soon after to launch on the Cooking Channel.

“We wanted a show only if it could be like our blog,” Debi explained.

“We really enjoyed how we did it. We just put a camera up on legs, we filmed lunch dates when our kids were in school. It was funny and informative. The network allowed us to do that.”

“Extra Virgin (as a name) was not our first choice,” Gabriele recalled.

“I didn’t like it at first.” Debi confirmed. But they were looking for “Super Tuscan,” something true to the roots of their show.

“Sure,” Gabriele added, “it lends itself to the occasional joke, but it can be taken in more than one way, which adds to the intrigue. Besides, we are trying this year to bring it in from our place in Italy. We are going to film the harvest this November. We are FDA approved, so we hope within the year to bring stuff from the farm.”

“Sadly, our children can’t wear the t-shirt.” Good point, Debi.

Debi Mazar & Gabriele Corcos

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Indeed. It’s clear, though, young daughters Evelina and Giulia both have embraced their parents’ messages about healthy living, as well as social responsibility. Transitioning to the topic of sustainability and diversity, Debi explained why they traded the west coast for east.

Keeping It Fresh with Cooking Channel’s Extra Virgin

“Part of why we left California and moved to Brooklyn was because we wanted our children to have a walking culture, to see all types of people in their face constantly. To see how other people live instead of being in the LA bubble.”

By Sharyl Volpe

Highlighting diversity of a different kind, just recently Evelina asked her mom for extra food to take in her lunch box to school. “It turns

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out that some of their friends were coming in with next to nothing to eat for lunch. Some kids had candy in their lunch boxes.”

This was a massive motivator for their participation in the “Live Below the Line” challenge earlier this year. The global program’s aim was to raise awareness about the realities of poverty. Each member of the family had $1.50 per day to spend on food, the U.S. equivalent of the extreme poverty line.

“There is so much poverty in America right now. It’s disturbing. We want our kids to understand what compassion means, to be sensitive. People asked us why we were putting our kids through that, and I said look – people need to think about what they are throwing out. Poverty is not selective.”

How does this family run its kitchen day-to-day? Gabriele painted the picture.

“We try to run our kitchen as a daily operation. When it comes to eating we are spontaneous. We grow stuff. Our backyard now, I can jump across it, but my two tomato plants are bigger than Christmas trees. We shop at farmers’ markets. The girls appreciate vegetables. In Tuscany we pick veggies. When they want a snack, I’ll put some prosciutto on bread, or make some popcorn.”

“Our kids don’t want McDonald’s, they just don’t want it.” Debi was proud of it. “They have peers, I know they might sneak crap sometimes, but they bring their friends home and the friends always want to stay over for dinner. They cook with my husband.”

Comparing locations, however, Gabriele tells us emphatically at least three chefs he knows of recently relocated from NYC to Philadelphia. “I know there’s a lot of good stuff going on in Philly.”

What’s their favorite meal, I wanted to know, that is easy and fast and still gourmet? Gabriele said simply: “Gourmet is in your head. Gourmet is in your heart.”

That’s something to chew on.

Thai one ON in Southampton at Aroi!

By Kimberly Cambra

L

ooking for an exotic lunch or dinner time escape where an unusual language translates into easily recognizable flavors and aromatic creations? Program your global plate system (GPS) to Aroi in Southampton. Upon arrival to the restaurant you will discover a massive glistening fish tank that outfits the back bar and the main dinning room with its very interesting architectural design, almost an alluring diversion to the space. This journey begins instantly with the menu’s selection of soups, salads, and extensive appetizers, which are most generous. On this visit the waiter’s suggestion, the Tofu Baker, was delivered to the table with billowing tofu exploding with julienne vegetables and blanketed with a peanut lime sauce enough to share. Worthy of noting from the soup and salad selection is Tom Kha Gai, a silky soup infused with coconut and galangal, a close relative of ginger, laden with chicken, red peppers, mushrooms and just enough cilantro to balance the sweetness. Another stand-out for Aroi’s first course selection might be the scallop salad. This dish delivers on heat, a crunchy medley of matchstick vegetables and perfectly seared scallops served in a handsome deep porcelain bowl.

Guests may opt to use chopsticks to have a more authentic dining experience.

The main event at Aroi takes center stage amidst the signature entrée offerings, a hands down fall off the bone delectability, the Massaman

Ribs. The slow cooked pork ribs are oven roasted for hours with a massaman curry. Massaman is type of curry from central south Thailand used in Thai cuisine most typically in beef dishes and has soft heat and sweetness in its flavor profile. The ultimate crowd pleaser on the menu is happily positioned under the rice and noodle selection, where real authentic flavors of Thailand come to life. From their kitchen to your table arrives Aroi’s traditional Pad Thai. The preparation of this dish is done as it has been for hundreds of centuries by pan frying the noodle till soft and layering the other ingredients. Your choice of chicken, beef or shrimp, is combined with bean sprouts, chives and peanuts, then gently tossed and plated to perfection, served with a fresh wedge of lime. Your palate is transported. Interestingly enough the more common ingredients to Thai cuisine are very familiar to most of us as our kitchens have global pantries. Cilantro, lime, coconut, mango, bean sprouts and peanuts have become far more widely used in homes today as we discover more about foodstuff from warmer tropical climates such as Thailand, the Caribbean and Mexico.

So, at the cultural conclusion of a visit to Aroi–“stick” to what you know, as in “sticky” rice, mango sticky rice to be exact. It’s comfort food for a globe trotting foodie.

Kimberly Cambra is the Food Editor for Local Living Magazine.

What keeps this couple motivated and so darn in love on TV? Gabriele answers without hesitation.

“One of the things I wanted to say, about family, and our lives. This is all we have. I wake up at 6:30 am with lunch boxes, I ask, ‘Who wants what? Leftovers, pasta, sandwiches?’ I love it. I live for my girls. I don’t cook for myself. Cooking decent stuff takes some time.”

“But back to Debra, she is my muse. And she’s hot.”

“Okay, but what’s for dinner tonight?”

“I don’t know yet. I’ll know when we get off the phone.”

Check out www.cookingchanneltv.com for a full listing of all airings of ExtraVirgin, clips, links, images and more of this fabulous family in their natural setting.

Sharyl Volpe is Editor-in-Chief for Local Living Magazine.

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Drinks For and By the Locals FREE WILL BREWING COMPANY Free Will Brewing Company in Perkasie is a hometown brew, but it is not homebrew. Brewmaster John Stemler and Manager Dominic Capece call their establishment a “production brewery.” Operating from the 8,600 square foot basement level of a business complex at 410 E. Walnut St., the brewery is only wholesale or retail take-out.

Both John and Dominic grew up in Perkasie and their hometown was the perfect fit for the new business. Beyond a tiny bar, a few eclectic chairs, and a barber’s pole, is a view of the immense brewing area filled with oak barrels aging an Imperial Stout, empty bottles waiting to be filled with Community Kolsch, and a series of steel brewing vats. The Community Kolsch is the first beer most visitors taste.

Will Brewing Company… in a mold unlike most other breweries. As their motto says, “We brew to taste, fit to style.” “‘Free Will’ embodies our brewing philosophy,” said John. “We do not brew a certain style of beer; we just make beer. We design the beers we brew around a flavor profile we want and then try and fit the result into some sort of style for the sake of a description.”

John’s degree in biology and chemistry from Ursinus College allows the brewmaster to work without boundaries. Sometimes, branding a Free Will creation with a style is a bit tricky.

“Sometimes we brew things just for fun,” admitted John.

“It’s Community, because it’s a style of beer that most everyone will like,” said Dominic as he took time to talk before the start of a busy Friday evening.

Community Kolsch features an artist’s rendition of the twin walking bridges spanning the Perkiomen Creek in Lenape Park. Since opening in January 2013, Free Will has had the support of the community; regulars flock to the tasting room.

The guys at Free Will stop short at naming a flagship beer, but it would be Citra, a crisp American Pale Ale. “It’s what we make the most of,” said Dominic. And the bottles are flying off the shelf. Free Will is in the midst of installing new equipment, which will triple the breweries’ production. In the foreseeable future, they will outgrow the current facility.

“For now, we’re glad we are here in Perkasie,” said John.

“The beginning is very cliché,” said Dominic. “We are longtime friends and we both homebrewed as a hobby.”

The friends started brewing together for fun, which ultimately turned into a weekly Sunday tradition. Encouraged by friends, the two formed Free

Story and Photos by Michael C. Upton

PA. “It’s truly a farm to table vodka. We wanted to make a vodka that fit the demands of our local customers.”

Housed in industrial settings with little fanfare announcing their presence from the outside, neither Philadelphia Distilling nor Free Will Brewing Company appear to be hotbeds of activity in the premium spirits and craft beer worlds. However, these local businesses are making big dents in their prospective trades.

Like the old adage says, “Never judge a …”

The distillery has had success with its other brands, Vieux Carre Absinthe and XXX Shine white corn whiskey (a.k.a. moonshine). XXX Shine comes with two additional twists, a salted caramel version and LiberTea—a whiskey with “a punch in the face of flavor” of black tea, lemon, and honey.

PHILADELPHIA DISTILLING With a variety of premium products ranging from Chesapeake Bay inspired vodka* to historic absinthe, Philadelphia Distilling has made quite a splash in the world of cocktails since opening in 2005. The modest company with a beautiful, hand-hammered copper still is housed in an industrial complex in north Philadelphia. When it opened, Philadelphia Distilling became Pennsylvania’s first craft distillery since prohibition.

After much success with their flagship spirit Bluecoat Gin, fans began to clamor for a vodka. Faced with insurmountable competition—vodka is currently the number one selling spirit in the United States—company president Andrew Auwerda had an idea. If his local customers wanted vodka, Philadelphia Distilling would make a local vodka. Using 100 percent PA ingredients, including organic rye, Penn 1681 is smooth, palatable, and popular with customers who like to shop local.“We made no effort to make this a national brand,” explained Andrew. While Bluecoat Gin is popular in many states, Penn 1681 is reserved for locals and is only available in 42

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Michael C. Upton works as a freelance writer specializing in arts and leisure covering subjects ranging from funk punk to fine wine. He currently resides in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

410 East Walnut Street #10 | Perkasie, PA 18944 Get directions: (267) 354-0813 freewillbrewing.com

*Stay tuned for The Bay, Philadelphia Distilling’s crab seasoning-inspired vodka. It will hit PA shelves in the upcoming months. Track the spirit’s progress at www.facebook.com/TheBayVodka.

Andrew teamed up with Philadelphia mixologist Christian Gaal, from Emmanuelle, to create a local cocktail featuring Penn 1681. The result is a twist on the classic Moscow Mule originally created in 1941 and popular throughout the ‘50s.

Moscow on the Schuylkil l 2 oz. Penn 1681 .75 oz. Lemon .75 oz. Sbiten Syrup (a spiced, honey-based syrup) Ginger beer Combine first three ingredients in a footed Collins glass, stir.

Top with ginger beer.

HOURS: Wed & Thurs: 4PM-7PM Fri: 4–8PM Sat: 12–7PM Sunday: 12–4PM TOURS ON SATURDAY: 1 & 3PM September | October 2013

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THE BIG WINNER proudly served at these fine establishments

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Yardley Inn www.yardleyinn.com

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Bobby Simmones www.ilovebobbys.com

PLCB www.finewineandgoodspirits.com

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September | October 2013 Local Living 45 www.penn1681.com / www.bluecoatgin.com

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The Reading Terminal Market— Philadelphia’s Staple Market

By Donna Dvorak

S Jeanine Dargis at Valley Shepherd Creamery is pre-pressing the curds for ‘Melter Skelter’ at the bottom of the vat before starting the molding process.

ince 1892 Philadelphians and tourists have felt a burst of energy walking through the doors of the Reading Terminal Market. Once inside one feels the pulse of excitement; if the saying ‘what’s old is new’ rings true, then this is the perfect place to explore. Tucked in every corner is an ideal spot to grab a nosh, dinner, lunch, brunch or take-out. Enjoy the aroma of freshly cut flowers, find a seat and listen to live music, or just grab a cup of java and get your mojo going.

chocolate ice cream swirled with caramel, peanut butter brownie pieces and chocolate chips. It’s sure the opposite of plain vanilla!”

Inside this hospitable market, backdrop to national movies, is a gastronomic bazaar that has withstood the test of time offering assortments of fine foods, a sense of camaraderie and a foodies’ paradise! The tastes of Philly, France, Italy, Lancaster County, the Middle East, Tokyo, New Orleans, Greece, Pakistan, India and more are featured under one roof. With famous names like Termini Brothers Bakery on the same aisle as Chocolate by Mueller (take heed chocoholics!), as well as George’s Pizza, Pasata and Cheesecake with Iovine Brother’s Produce, one can explore the world via food.

“I was in real estate, but always wanted to learn how to make cheese,” says owner Eran Wasjwol. “I sold my business and bought a farm in New Jersey with cows, sheep and goats. And now we create thirty-two different kinds of cheese. At the Reading Terminal we’re slowly adapting our new cheeses, but right now we make three different cheeses, depending on the milk. Baby cheddar, blue cheese and our hand-stretched mozzarella are fresh daily. We age the products approximately three to six months in our aging room under the terminal, producing the whole product instead of purchasing the ingredients. Everything used is our own including the cream and the flavoring.”

But, that’s not all! You can purchase jewelry, books, weave through a genuine country store, or find exotic spices, nuts or octopus freshly caught from the ocean! For the sommelier, sample wines at Blue Mountain Vineyards & Cellars and learn to pair with your best meal. Not enough? Try soul food, old-fashioned rock candy, amazing chickens by the Amish cooks, and find pickles, pretzels, French crepes and any condiment known to man! Scoop up some Bassetts Ice Cream while you stand at the original marble counter and chat with the original owners!

WMMR’s Preston and Steve at Bassetts Ice Cream

Local Living September | October 2013

Ewan also travels to the well-known cheese makers in the mountains of France, Spain and Italy to create cheese together. So, if you’re salivating for a decadent grilled cheese sandwich with seasonal specials, he’s your guy!

If strolling through the market is invigorating and you need to rest – don’t worry!

“We are the last remaining original merchant and in 2011 celebrated 150 years there,” says Michael Strange, President, whose mother is Ann Bassett and cousin is Roger Bassett. “Roger and I are fifth generation cousins and he runs our retail operations and has two other stores in the Reading Terminal. We still have the original marble counter here and we’re still in the same location.”

They provide seating where one can listen to the soothing sounds of a musician on piano who plays jazz, soft rock, and more. Need a cooking lesson? La Cucina continues the tradition of cooking classes where you will also learn the art of entertaining. Looking for a special gift for a loved one, boss or friend? No problem! The Reading Terminal offers gift cards in any denomination. Out-of-town guests pop in? Bring them on a tour of this amazing market. If you’re a professional, the Rick Nichol’s Room is perfect for your next meeting.

Bassetts Ice Cream began before the Reading Terminal opened in 1861.

They still pride themselves on their ice cream sodas, cones and cups, sundaes and milkshakes. They create any concoction their customers can think of with ice cream!

And, last but never least, couples can tie the knot in a ceremony right on the premises and start their married life with a perfect wedding reception!

“Our most popular flavor is plain old vanilla, although we consider butterscotch vanilla and mint chocolate chip our signature flavors,” says Michael. “We developed a flavor in conjunction with Preston and Steve, from WMMR, who had an on-air brainstorm. If we could make our own ice cream what would it be? They came up with the flavor Gadzooks, which is 48

If you’re a cheese connoisseur stop at Valley Shepherd Creamery in the back of the market where you can watch cheese makers create cheese by stirring raw milk in huge stainless steel barrels, squeezing it through cheese cloths, and weaving their magic.

For more information visit www.readingterminalmarket.org, or call (215) 922-2317.

Donna Dvorak is a Philadelphia-born freelance writer, reporter, awardwinning poet, author, columnist, and creative writing teacher. She currently resides in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

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The

Do

Fork-1-1

By Kimberly Cambra

Ingrained in

you know there are really truly super-sized foods that in their natural state might be considered an oxymoron? For example, Teff, which is an incredibly teeny tiny grain from Ethiopia, contains a mammoth protein-packed punch along with other essential amino acids in every serving. Amidst the gluten free craze, raw food and the locally sourced food movement, super grains are flowing onto store shelves from the global silo of the world to you. At one time even the Atkins diet, which emphasized eating a mostly protein diet while reducing carbs, began to give rice and potatoes a bad name forcing the Idaho potato to rebrand itself via an expensive marketing campaign. Rice, beans and spuds aside, people are finally discovering alternative grains beyond our amber waves of wheat.

One of the fastest growing sectors in grocery markets everywhere is the demand for super grains such as Quinoa, Teff, Freeka, Farro and Amaranth. All of these grains are sold in their natural form, boxed or bagged and easy to prepare. After all, these grains have been around for thousands of years, from Africa to Mexico, where sophisticated cookware and appliances need not apply. Why did it take so many hundreds of years for consumers to discover these ultra dense phytonutrient food sources?

Amaranth from Africa is another very tiny grain high in protein and easy to grow with its magenta blossoms yielding this mighty seed. It is similar in appearance to couscous right down to the pale yellow color in its uncooked state; it is also delicate and temperamental to cook when preparing. Amaranth has an earthy and nutty flavor and can also be popped like corn for snacking. Make certain to use exact instructions for preparation – it’s much wiser in years than you are. It’s been a food source for over 8,000 of them.

Also in the earthy nutty flavor profile are barley, millet and kamut, which is a less processed ancient organic wheat.

Leading the current popularity contest of super foods is, without question, Quinoa, pronounced keen-WAH. Not a grain but a seed which has become a fast favorite as a highly adaptable food as well as an impressive source of protein with 14 grams per 3.5 ounces. It is also an excellent source of fiber, foliate and iron. Quinoa continent of origin is South America, most of which is grown and harvested in countries like Bolivia where the global demand for this nutritionally perfect food has tripled in demand and increased cost to the Bolivians themselves. Take note, it’s really emerging everywhere: even now at most deli counters and salad bars, this supreme seedling is getting top billing.

Another notable but not nearly as popular trending grain is, again, Teff or Taf, sold either boxed or bagged; it hails from the highlands of Ethiopia. This gem is a real “whole” grain because the anatomy of this grain can not be separated at the bran and germ – it’s the total grainy package. Nutritional attributes for Teff (like the others) are high protein, potassium and the amino acid lysine.

Some uses for this Ethiopian essence include warm preparation as a breakfast cereal or in a flour form to bake with.

So, on your next trip to the market forego the “San Francisco Treat” and don’t make eye contact with Uncle Ben. Opt instead for a more exotic, but totally accessible accompaniment like a Royal Red Quinoa with scallions, feta and dried cranberries with a citrus vinaigrette. It will pack a protein punch of a strip steak minus the fat and calories and the phytonutrients for looking and feeling younger. It’s not a bird, it’s not a fish – it’s SUPER Grain supreme.

GRAINS!

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I

By Gabrielle Mwangi

The Power of Humble Sage

got off the plane in Philadelphia. It was December 2006. Life in subSaharan Africa taught me nothing about sub-zero temperatures or the significance of a warm coat. Then came the big-box stores. My only goal was a body lotion but I found myself snared into a web of what seemed like endless options. There were more brands than I had ever seen in a single store. Each brand, in fierce competition, consumed rows and rows of aisle space with products that claimed to moisturize, tone, firm, fade, repel aging, protect from the sun and renew. Each product gratified one or two concerns at the most. Yet I sought a single product that would address all of my skin issues. In the end I was coerced into purchasing multiple combinations of products in order to make sure every concern was covered.

There was little improvement in some cases but for the most part the change was non-existent. And attempting to lend my skin the finest upkeep was becoming a very pricey habit. Out of frustration I turned to my African roots of kitchen-based skincare. Using everyday kitchen ingredients like yogurt and milk, cooking spices and honey among others to customize products based on personal needs performed far better than any product purchased in the store. With the aid of a few chemistry lessons, the habit of creating my own skincare products eventually became second nature.

And in the process I became a master at natural skincare. Allow me to demonstrate.

In the summer my skin becomes oily. Oily skin means there’s over production of sebum, the natural lubricant contained in skin cells.

“

Unfortunately this means clogged pores, breakouts and eventually black heads or acne scars. A humble cup of sage tea is all it takes to rebalance the sebum and eliminate oiliness. Sage clears the pores by absorbing excess sebum.

Additionally, the leaf has antiseptic and astringent properties. Antiseptics inhibit bacteria to keep skin infections at bay while astringents shrink or constrict pores to keep their size invisible resulting in smooth velvety skin.

Making the tea is easy. In a cup of hot water (distilled works much better) steep a teaspoon and a half of sage. Cover and let it sit until completely cooled. Strain into an easy to use bottle and you’re done.

Dab tea onto a cotton pad and swipe across your face as you would any toner. The tea will absorb excessive sebum, rebalance skin and remove alkaline soap residue.

If refrigerated sage toner will last about one and a half weeks. Discard after this time and create a fresh batch.

Gabrielle is Fashion & Beauty Editor for Local Living Magazine. Her YouTube channel, Duchess Gabrielle, focuses on homemade skin and hair care products. She has trained in both acting and fashion at FIT, The Walnut Street Theater and Bucks County Community College. She has modeled for Bergdorf Goodman, Lucky and Glamour. She left East Africa in 2006, where she was an actress and radio personality.

A humble cup of sage tea is all it takes to rebalance the

”

sebum and eliminate oiliness.

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September | October 2013

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Local Living September | October 2013

September | October 2013

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Carmine & Company Hair Salon & Color Studio

form and foliage

A

With the shining shapes of autumn

t Carmine & Company our Stylists and Colorists are impassioned, enlightened and inspiring. We believe you should never under-estimate the power of a consultation. That is how we learn what you love, how we grow, and how ideas sprout to life. We ask questions and we listen to your answers to find the perfect look that works for you.

We help you take the right steps to move ahead with confidence.

Hair Artistry is at the heart of what we do in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. So when the conversation turns to your hair, turn to us! We look forward to seeing you.

forged in iron and glowing copper, this handcrafted bowl turns the outdoors in.

Hairstyling, Cutting, Color, Special Occasion Hair, Makeup and Airbrush Makeup, Waxing and Hair Extensions.

We specialize in Hot Headz hair extensions.

Bridal Parties of three or more that have their hair done Bride gets make-up done for free.

Mention this ad to receive 20% off your first visit! $40.00 off Hot Heads hair extensions.

In the Noah’s Ark workshop, artisans create new designs using traditional metalwork skills.

Call (215) 343-2595 or visit www.carmineandco.com

Trinity Autumn House Tour Features Five Bucks County Historic Treasures

Visit www.trinitysolebury.org/housetour for more information. Tickets are $33.00 in advance and $38.00 the day of the Tour and may be purchased on-line, by mail, or at Trinity Church on tour day at 6587 Upper York Road (Rt. 263 & Sugan Road) Solebury, Pa. 18963.

Oak Leaf Bowl, $59 HANDCRAFTED IN INDIA

SAVE THE DATE for the 23rd Annual Trinity Autumn House Tour on Saturday, October 19th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine. This highly anticipated and respected event is featuring five treasured Bucks County properties.

Built into the stone cliffs of River Road, Hidden Cottage in Lumberville was built originally around the time of the Delaware Canal construction in 1840 with annexed generational structures that followed. There is a treasure trove of family antiques and interesting collections with interior spaces and gardens that delight the eye at every turn. Jericho Mountain Orchards with its dining room dating to an original 1600s log cabin has views that were favored by Pennsylvania Impressionist painters, Daniel Garber, George Sotter, and Harry Leith-Ross. Old Glory, owned by a former US Congressman and his family, was known as the 1740 Tavern. The tavern room is part of the house with a 5,100 square foot addition making it a place of comfort for today’s living. Stone Forge was a grant by King Charles of England to William Penn whose signature is on the original deed and the entire residence and barn have been beautifully restored. It is once again being lived in as a farm with livestock, chickens, and antique cars.

This year Trinity Autumn House Tour is also pleased to be collaborating with The Audubon Society, Heritage Conservancy, and The Solebury Historical Society to present Tuckamony Farm. This property sits in the environmentally significant 700 acre Honey Hollow Watershed which was designated by the US State Department of Interior as a National Historic Landmark in 1969, and is home to four generations of the family that steward it for future generations.

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NOW OPEN! Suburban Square, 32 Parking Plaza, Ste 104, Ardmore To find other area stores, visit www.tenthousandvillages.com

Bring in this ad to receive 25%

Off one item.

Use this logo for reductions only, do not print magenta. Do not reduce this logo more than 30%. Magenta indicates the clear area, nothing should print in this space You may reduce the logo to 20% without the tag and strap lines.

Color of Wood Block Motif critical match to Pantone 1805.

Letters print Pantone Process Black.

Offer valid at participating stores until 10/31/13.

Not valid with other discounts, purchase of gift cards, Oriental rugs or Traveler’s Finds.

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UT & S H O O T P E !

G

Modern Martha - Why Try to Do it All?

By Lisa Walters

I

am a girl that loves to cook, decorate, and entertain. All things I could handle with much more grace and enthusiasm before my son entered the world. Knowing my limitations with a very mobile six month old, I enlisted some assistance to help get ready for my latest dinner party.

First, I hired a chef to prepare and serve our dinner. This sounds much fancier and expensive than it actually was. Jason and I are not grandiose people, but we had become friendly with a chef while taking a few cooking classes together. His presence lifted a huge chunk of our normal responsibilities and allowed us to enjoy our company. Second, I communicated with Jason about the things he could do to help: “Run errands, and take Jack with you!”

3

Over

hops, restaurants &

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es rvic

5

ts g re a

Banana RepuBlic ~ loft ~ DSW ~ J. Jill ~ eaSteRn Mountain SpoRtS ~ olly ShoeS ~ JoS. a BankS ~ chico’S Sleep nuMBeR ~ heaD oveR heelS ~ countRy cuRtainS ~ MaSSage envy ~ White houSe Black MaRket ~ chipotle yankee canDle ~ paneRa BReaD ~ p.f. chang’S ~ teD’S Montana gRill ~ the Melting pot ~ yoguRtlanD (opening Soon) 267.487.3000 • Route 611 at Street Road • Warrington, pa (adjacent to Wegman’s) • www.ShopvalleySquare.com • Managed by The Wilder Companies

A few weeks earlier I had an “everyone leave me alone” break down.

It was a gorgeous morning, and I had this idea that I could sit in the sun and drink my coffee, uninterrupted. (Insert evil laughter from husband, son, and dogs here.) I asked Jason to do the grocery shopping and to take our son Jack along. After a few minutes of not really relaxing, but rather checking email and listening to my neighbor power wash his deck, I came inside for a glass of water. Tragically, I found my husband napping on the couch and Jack propped up in his swing watching Sesame Street.

“Jason! I thought you were going to the store?” Startled, Jason sat up.

“I will. I need a nap first.” In his defense he does work late hours, but it was only 10:30 in the morning and I haven’t taken a nap since Kindergarten.

Irritated, I fire, “A nap? Really? You just got out of bed an hour ago!” I got a look. It was not a loving one. So I gave him a look. Mine was much more powerful. I had learned it from his mother, and she had a 100% success rate with it for 28 years before releasing Jason over to me. He got off the couch and began to put on his shoes.

Victorious, I returned to my lounge chair. Who did he think he was taking a nap? It’s my turn to relax! And Sesame Street? I told him to limit Jack’s screen time or we could kiss his chances at Ivy League goodbye. Moments later the back door swings open and Jason is wheeling our son out in his stroller. “Here,” he says like he is handing me a napkin. “I can’t take him with me. I can get everything done in twenty minutes if I go alone. It will take an hour with him.” I gave the look again. My mother-in-law forgot to tell me it’s ineffective while wearing sunglasses. He was in his car and driving down the street before I could point out that it doesn’t take forty extra minutes to take a baby in and out of the car.

Conveniently, Jack was wheeled out sans sunblock and a hat. After fetching those two essentials, I stood slathering up our son and rocking a stroller back and forth instead of lounging. With the power washer humming in the background and cold coffee in hand, I made a mental Post-it note: Next time make sure he takes the baby.

It was next time, and I was happy that my husband understood my feelings.

He took Jack along on all the errands, while I cleaned the house and leisurely arranged my centerpiece distraction free. It’s true that having a baby has caused us to adjust our normal routines, but I am fortunate that Jason and I always work together to insure a successful party with good friends.

Lisa is a freelance writer, elementary school teacher, and new mom. She resides in Perkasie with her husband Jason, son Jack, and her two dogs Winchester and Tigger.

September | October 2013

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7.38x4.69_SeptOct_Layout 1 8/22/2013 2:50 PM Page 1

The Beach Boys

Thu., Sep. 26 - 7:30 PM - $55/$50

Little River Band

Jack Hanna Into the Wild

Sponsored by 99.9 The Hawk and 69.1 WFMZ-TV

Sun., Oct. 6 - 2 PM

Thu., Oct. 3 - 8 PM - $50/$45

Sponsored by Unity Bank, Victaulic and Bazzini

Presented by Nationwide Insurance

31/$21(child 10 & under)

$

Sponsored by The Morning Call

Visit www.statetheatre.org for full season schedule!

www.statetheatre.org

453 Northampton St., Easton, PA s 610-252-3132 s 1-800-999-STATE

The Fairville Inn is the perfect place to treat yourself to a special evening (or two) or to host out-of-town guests.

The Inn offers elegant country accommodations just minutes from Longwood Gardens, the Winterthur Estate, the Brandywine River (“Wyeth�)

Museum, fine dining and local wineries. Each room and suite features a private bath, individual climate control, satellite TV, and hi-speed wireless Internet service. Most rooms have a private deck overlooking the gardens or meadow, and a fireplace (in season). Full breakfast and afternoon tea are, of course, Present this ad for a complimentary upgrade to the best room available at check-in.

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A bed and breakfast sanctuary where mind, body, and spirit flourish in a relaxing woodland setting.

121 Santosha Lane, Box 6154 East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 570.476.0203 www.SantoshaOnTheRidge.com

included. Enjoy the elegance!

610.388.5900 www.fairvilleinn.com

September | October

Small State, Great Adventure: Delaware!

By Diane Burns

L

ooking for a short autumn getaway?

Experience the sights, sounds and adventures of “The First State” of the union, our neighbor to the south, Delaware.

Center serves as an entry point and mortuary for American military casualties from overseas.

As you travel further south you’ll find beautiful landscapes, peaceful settings and lovely Begin your journey south into New Castle small towns in Sussex County. This county is County to its largest city and economic the home to many fall festivals such as Bridhub, Wilmington. Your travels will take you geville’s Apple Scrapple Festival, the Annual Delaware Flag through the beauty of the Brandywine ValSea Witch Halloween and Fiddlers’ Festival as ley’s rolling hills along the National Scenic Byway. There is plenty to well as Oktoberfest at the Delaware Saengerbund. German crafts and see and do in and around Wilmington including Winterthur Museum souvenirs are on display and Bavarian Dancers entertain you while you which is part of the Henry Francis DuPont country estate. It reflects early enjoy some good German food.

America and the DuPont’s family life. Or perhaps an historic nighttime If you have ever watched the Discovery Channel you may have seen a ghost tour is more to your liking. Wilmington has them too! show on “Punkin Chunkin.” What is Punkin Chunkin you ask? Large The city also has a variety of professional and local theaters. After din- pumpkins are hurled from slingshots, catapults, air balloons, Trebuing at one of the many exceptional restaurants along the revitalized Riv- chets, and centrifuges into the air. The targets for the hurled pumpkins erfront make plans to enjoy a fine performance at one of the theaters. can be a piano, water barrels, and even layers of plywood or drywall.

You won’t be disappointed.

The money raised is used for school scholarships. This event takes place November 1-3 in Bridgeville, DE. If you are more interested in some of the educational aspects of the area the main campus of the University of Delaware is in Newark. The Heading on we come to the city of Lewes, the first town settled in the first state by the Dutch in 1631. It is a town of historic homes and an university is highly rated for its research activity. old cemetery filled with the stories of the first settlers. Lewes is also Traveling to central Delaware we come to Kent County, a wonderful the town that has the ferry that connects Delaware to Cape May, location for those who enjoy bird migration. A wide variety of species New Jersey. can be viewed along the east coast. This is the county seat of Delaware with Dover as its capital. During the fall season it is also the home Cape Henlopen is home for one of the concrete observation towers of the “AAA400”NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International used to guard the coastline during WWII. The state park, over 13,973 Speedway. The track is well-known for having the fastest one mile oval acres, offers educational nature programs and houses a large salt track in the world. On race weekends the track attracts more than water aquarium.

250,000 fans.

From the Cape you will find some of the nicest beaches in Delaware.

In close proximity to the Speedway is Dover Downs Casino, if you care Rehoboth was founded in 1871 as a Methodist Episcopal Church Beach to play a few hands of poker or try your luck with the slot machines. If Camp. One of its greatest assets is its mile-long boardwalk. Rehoboth is they don’t interest you perhaps Harness Racing is more to your liking; also home to the Tanger Outlets.

Dover Downs has that too.

You can shop at over 13 brand named stores with discount prices.

In October you might want to attend the Delaware Wine and Beer Fes- From Rehoboth you have the beaches of Bethany, known as “The Quitival. Come and learn from the vintners and brewers themselves how et Resort” because it is popular with families, South Bethany, Dewey they produce their beverages and then have a sample or two. For info: and Fenwick. www.dewineandbeer.visitdover.com.

So visit our neighboring state of Delaware and experience a weekend of For those of you interested in the great outdoors, Delaware’s Bombay fun and adventure. You won’t be sorry you did.

Hook National Wildlife Refuge, located in Smyrna, stretches eight miles and covers over 16,251 acres. It provides a habitat for wildlife with its For further information contact Greater Wilmington Convention and fresh water pools, swamps, upland forests and fields, and one of the Visitors Bureau at (1-800) 489-6664. largest tidal salt marshes in the Mid-Atlantic region.

While in Dover take the time to visit Dover Air Force Base and its museum. One of the largest bases in the U.S., its air Force Military Command

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Diane Burns is a freelance writer presently residing in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

September | October 2013

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WTF: Welcome To France

The everyday life in Paris of an American family

By Marta Hobbs

F

all is one of my very favorite times of the year in Paris. It is in September that the Parisians return to their city from those long and wonderful holidays. Restaurants and shops start re-opening and people you’ve called in May for something actually start returning your phone calls.

It is also the time when the tourists are fewer and streets seem emptier, calmer, and filled with locals rather than curious visitors. That’s for about one week at the end of August. Then, the hustle and bustle of Paris returns.

For the Parisians it is “rentree” time (literally meaning re-entry) where it’s back to work, back to school and back to city living. They have a very hard time believing that we do not vacation en-masse in the States and all return at the same time and hit the school supply stores pushing and shoving to get our kids’ stuff first.

Although visiting Paris in the summer is wonderful (remember: the sales!), and that is when most travelers come to see the City of Lights, Paris in the fall is something to fall in love with. The leaves changing color and falling on the streets are simply beautiful. The skies are gray, the clouds hang low and it is overcast every day, which somehow really suits the gray buildings and architecture of the city. It rains constantly but many have said, “Paris is the most beautiful in the rain.” And it is pretty special as long as you are equipped with proper rain boots and a decent umbrella.

One day I thought I’d be very French and I bought one of those big long umbrellas that all the Parisians seem to whip out of nowhere when it starts to pour. I was so proud of it when I took it out with me on the first cloudy day – only to leave it at Starbucks the very same morning. I’m back to my Target umbrellas that fit into my purse and cost $10. (I stock up when I come back to US!)

You see, in France it is very difficult to evict someone even after they stop paying rent. There is even a law that states that people cannot be evicted in the winter months due to weather, so owners are extra cautious. We had to put together a file of our life-on-paper to be presented to the owner of the place. Once we were “in” we only needed to open up a special bank account with a security deposit, (this requires several in-person visits to your bank branch to sign and stamp lots of papers – and not without an appointment, “no!”), deliver all originals into the hands of the owner proving that this was done (never ever fax or scan anything! Don’t even think about it!), set up an inspection of the place and have it inspected, find renters insurance, sign all sorts of paperwork and guarantees with the owner’s agency (in person and in blue ink!), look over the 30 page lease in French and the terms of the rental, and figure out how to break the news to the agency and owner that the “small dog” we were bringing over from the USA was a 100lb yellow lab…

So far, we are still here. The four-legged member of our family arrives in a few days (never fly with a dog on a weekend; they are only allowed to land in Paris Monday through Friday, naturally) and we anxiously await his reaction to French dog food. (Is it the fanciest dog food ever? Is it made with butter, butter and more butter?) And French poodles. (Do they also speak English with a French accent?) The kids have re-entered l’ecole and we explore the cool and gray streets of Paris with our rain boots and cheap umbrellas. Paris is beautiful in the rain too. Come see for yourself!

A plus tard, Marta

I also thought I was pretty clever when I figured out that rather than buy expensive rain boots here I’d just order them online and have a friend send me a package from America. They were so much cheaper there and the shipping was reasonable; I’d save a bundle! I prepared my “guardienne” (the woman in the building who gets the mail, cleans the common areas and takes out the trash and also knows everything about everyone) and awaited the delivery. (The story of how reliable – or rather UNreliable – French delivery is I shall save for another time….) Imagine my surprise when I found a bill for $130 in duty taxes that I had to pay for the new shoes. Well, they will last a long time, right?! I wore them practically daily last autumn.

This fall I got to learn another lesson as well: finding a new place to rent.

If you think finding a nice and reasonably priced hotel in Paris is tricky try finding a long-term apartment – when you only speak enough French to talk about the weather, order a lovely lunch and pick out your favorite baguette. (Ok, I can now give directions and do quite well at the local market too!) Very little real estate business actually takes place online here. You still have to call, beg for an appointment in broken French and hope you are fortunate enough to get one. For every 10 emails I sent maybe I would get one reply. I tried them in both English and French and had the same response. My French, I decided, was not yet quite up to having conversations via telephone, so that was out. After months of searching on the web, I finally broke down and hired a real estate agent who was an American woman living in France for 30 years. Now I could find listings online and have her make the calls and find out the details for me! Et Voila! We’ve found ourselves a new pied-a-terre! Welcome to France, though… we had to prove we were “ok” for the owner to rent to us.

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September | October 2013

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MS_LocalLiving_jun13.indd 1

6/5/13 6:06 PM

Public, Private, Charter and Blended:

students; however, they do draw funding from public school districts.

So while they benefit enrolled students, loss of funds and a student brain drain can be detrimental to students unable to attain admission.

Finding and designing your own personal Lyceum in the 21st Century

A derivative of the charter system offering an unlimited number of slots, is the cyber charter. Country-wide, Pennsylvania is third in cyber enrollment, which has quadrupled since 2005. Cyber schools advertise heavily within the state, extolling their strengths of flexibility and individualization.

Students attend for a wide range of reasons from social to intellectual. For a student who experiences bullying, cyber may appear attractive, while a student interested in learning Arabic may see cyber as the sole avenue of access.

By Drew Giorgi

In

an earlier article on tutors, I discussed that Phillip II chose Aristotle for his son Alexander. Unfortunately, Aristotle is not available. Looking across the educational landscape, the choices are between public, private, charter and cyber charter. Each offers something different, is funded differently, and is subject to different laws. Identifying the right one may help students access their own personal Aristotle as they navigate the global village of the twenty-first century.

Public schools in the United States are comprehensive educational institutions available to all. They are highly regulated, subject to the requirements of the law and the limits of their funding, mostly derived from property taxes. These institutions serve any student who registers regardless of race, color, creed, or economic status and are legally required to provide services for any learning disability. Recent laws and regulations have been passed to increase teacher effectiveness through new evaluation programs and educational standards with the move towards the Common Core Standards, a work in progress in Pennsylvania.

State assessments are designed to hold public schools universally accountable. All students are included in the testing pool regardless of disability or background. While some of the exams are of high quality, others are in desperate need of revision. To get a sense of the disparity, see The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner of Harvard University.

For people who reside in poorly performing districts, charter schools can be seen as an educational oasis. While parents may want to choose a school based on personal or religious beliefs, students who focus on a single subject—engineering, science, the arts—may find a specialized charter ideal. Charters do not take everyone, selecting only the most motivated

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So far cyber charters have not shown a shift in student performance.

Highly motivated students moved to a cyber-setting tend to remain highly motivated whereas students who are unmotivated in the traditional setting tend to remain so. In terms of standardized testing performance, according to a January article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, no cyber charter met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in Pennsylvania last year.

Public schools are legally required to pay for students within their district who enroll in a cyber charter. Cyber charters typically spend four to five thousand dollars per student, but the district must pay the cyber charter what they spend per student, costing over thirty thousand dollars in some cases.

An alternative that is becoming increasingly popular is blended learning.

This is a mix of online and classroom schooling. With blended learning at a public school with cyber offerings, students access the benefits of a robust common core curriculum with the opportunity to take obscure courses online like Chinese (note: there are only six hundred certified Chinese teachers in the US). As this option becomes more common, it may become the standard way students design their learning and study in their own personal Lyceum.

Drew Giorgi is a teacher of English at New Hope-Solebury High School. He is a graduate of LaSalle University and holds master’s degrees from The College of New Jersey and St. Joseph’s University in English and Educational Technology.

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For Calista, Someday Is Today.

PETS

Nine-Time State Taekwondo Champion Violist, The Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra PA Cyber Class of 2014 My life.

Whether I’m in training to defend my state Taekwondo title for the ninth time, or fitting in extra piano or viola practice for the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra, it’s good to know my school can keep up with me. LOL!

My choice. These are the things I’ve developed interests in over time. These are the things that help to make my life complete, you know? I love that I can pursue my interests and have a school that encourages me to pursue them.

My school.

My school. PA Cyber, no doubt. With all that I do, and all that I like to do, I’m glad I go to a public school that challenges me educationally, while giving me the flexibility to chase my personal dreams. It’s a really cool school!

It’s the kind of public school you always hoped for your children someday…available today.

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Itching, Sneezing, Licking: Pets Suffer from Allergies Too

By Carla Papciak-Glatts

T

he constant sound of a dog’s long tongue licking over the fur, then the teeth kneading back and forth gnawing at a red inflamed paw, followed by the hind leg kicking furiously at an ear with a low groan of satisfaction. These were the sounds we heard from our German Shepherd, Ember, during the day and throughout the night. Why did her paws look so “raw” underneath and between her toes? Why did she constantly scratch those ears? When we clean them, they are dirty, stinky and swollen?

Sometimes her eyes wept and on rare occasions, her fur was falling out in clumps and it looked like she had elephant skin. What were all these strange things? ALLERGIES!!! Allergies can be problematic in both cats and dogs when inhaled, ingested or in contact with the skin. Some of the most common symptoms are itchy, inflamed or scabbed skin, constant scratching, runny eyes, itchy ears and ear infections, diarrhea, vomiting, sneezing, paw chewing and constant licking. If left untreated, it can turn into chronic bacterial and yeast infections. The most common allergen is pollen, produced by trees, grass and weeds. Other allergens include: mold, dander, feathers, cigarette smoke, food, perfumes, cleaning products and fabrics.

Allergy testing consists of a physical exam followed by skin or blood tests.

Treatments for inhalant and skin allergies can include over the counter (OTC) allergy medicines as well as topical and oral prescription meds (antibiotics or steroids) based on the severity. Bathing with a special shampoo for skin allergies can help. Food allergy treatment consists of trial and error testing, journaling all that your dog ingests and ruling out specific dietary

products (chicken, beef, pork, corn, wheat or soy). Your vet may put your pet on a strict prescription diet of hydrolyzed protein for a few months to see if he or she is having a food allergy. If your pet shows any of the above symptoms consult with your veterinarian.

For our dog Ember, the treatment consisted of multiple vet visits ending up with a concoction of antibiotics and steroids over the course of nine years. Her major allergy flare-ups were in fall and late spring, which are usually the common times. It wasn’t until she was ten that nothing was helping and she became immune to the antibiotics and the steroids were damaging her kidneys. My vet recommended a pet dermatologist. He tested Ember with an allergy test and we found that she was allergic to 59 out of the 60 outdoor/indoor allergens. The best one is that she was allergic to humans! Yes, my dog was allergic to me and my family! Due to the severity of her allergies, it was recommended she start weekly allergy shots. She has been on the allergy shots now for nine months and is doing very well.

We are pleased to see that she isn’t suffering anymore and we can finally get some sleep at night.

Carla Papciak-Glatts is an animal activist, shelter volunteer and a busy mom of two girls and two German Shepherds, residing in Upper Bucks County.

September | October 2013

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OUTDOOR SERVICES & GENERAL CONTRACTING

OUTDOOR SERVICES & GENERAL CONTRACTING

From Dreams to Reality

From Dreams to Reality

Home Improvements, Basements, Baths • Kitchens and Additions • Cabanas, Pergolas and Custom Sheds • Stone Veneers and Stucco

Landscape and Hardscape • Pool Renovation Specialists • Custom In-Ground Swimming Pools • Driveways, Patios and Walkways • Snow and Ice Management

Call For Design Consultation

Call For Design Consultation

215-948-3764

215-948-3764

www.jmhoutdoor.com

www.jmhoutdoor.com

Serving PA & NJ

Serving PA & NJ

LIC# PA073457

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Local Living September | October 2013

LIC# PA073457

September | October 2013

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T

here are few things more stressful than buying a home.

The professionals you trust to walk you through the front door have an immense responsibility to you and your family. Even if you do the homework, crunch the numbers and stay up all night long trying to cover all the bases alone, you still need a financing expert you can really trust with confidence. That’s exactly what Centennial Lending Group brings to the table: peace of mind.

Awarded the Five Star Mortgage Professional distinction for the past four years, Centennial Lending Group employs mortgage bankers and advisors that you keep for life. They specialize in smooth and stress-free financing for your most significant investment.

In addition to their work in real estate, Edwin and Vince host a radio show called “Keys to Real Estate and Finance” which airs on 1210 AM from 5 am to 5:30 am on Monday mornings. It is designed to be a program that will delve into every aspect of real estate and finance with an assortment of guests that are experts in their fields. An emphasis of the show is to help the average person understand and learn about lending, financing and real estate in terms they can apply to their own lives. 1210 AM is a CBS talk radio station that is a great initial platform for our show, we do plan on expanding to other stations and other media as we grow.

Susan Meitner is the President and CEO of Centennial Lending Group and she could not be more proud of the accomplishments of her company and her team. “Our goal is to make the loan process as simple and worry free as possible. We pride ourselves in offering the highest level of customer service.”

Meet two other members of Centennial Lending Group that may well feel like family to you too someday.

Vince Sirianni and Edwin Santiago are mortgage professionals that have teamed up to provide the best of all worlds in service and integrity within Centennial Lending Group’s superior mortgage platform. They made a decision to combine their considerable talents to ensure that every facet of your mortgage process is covered beautifully. They met five years ago and have worked together in the past intermittently until recently.

This past April, Edwin made the transition to Centennial Lending Group and Vince Sirianni followed right afterwards. It was then they recognized their potential as a team.

Vince Sirianni is a 20-year veteran of the mortgage industry. He is happily married and a father of two children. Edwin is a six-year veteran of the mortgage industry and is active with the community. He is the treasurer and a volunteer for the non-profit organization Open Hearth in Spring City, Pennsylvania. Edwin is a dedicated teacher and mentor as well. He is a Tae Kwon Do instructor with a 4th degree black belt and he leads all of Centennial Lending Group’s training classes.

“

Testimonial

Local Living September | October 2013

For more information visit www.clg-llc.com or call (215) 469-1000.

Howard, Thank you too! It was also a pleasure to work with you, and I appreciate your help with getting my mortgage experience easier and fast. Also wish you the best, and definitely I will let you know if I need anything in the future or if I have a referral.

Thanks again and best regards, Sandra

Centennial Lending Group, LLC / Licensed by the PA Department of Banking NMLS#340534 --- 1126 Horsham Road , Maple Glen, PA 19002

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Edwin Santiago, Senior Mortgage Banker, can be reached directly at (215) 901-0878 or emailed at esantiago@clg-llc.com (NMLS # 133618).

Vince Sirianni, Business Development Specialist, can be reached at (610) 564-0620. His email address is vsirianni@clg-llc.com.

”

“

Testimonial

“Thanks to Edwin at Centennial Lending Group for making our dreams come true!

From the easy application process to the early closing, I appreciated having every step anticipated, explained, and our mortgage locked down in just a short time. Your expertise was critical for getting our loan accomplished as we are both self-employed. You also worked with all players in the sale with a ‘Let’s get this done with ease for our client’ attitude at all times, working together to get the job done.

Even the title company remarked how happy and easy a close that was. Thank you, thank you!

”

Dr. Brandie & Dr. Arthur Nemchenko

Centennial Lending Group, LLC / Licensed by the PA Department of Banking NMLS#340534 --- 1126 Horsham Road , Maple Glen, PA 19002 September | October 2013

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FINANCE

The Seiler Group: Money is Only Part of the Story “Friendly and easy to deal with. Workmanship and quality were first rate.

Completed job was cleaner than when they started.” — Thomas Z., Allentown, PA

Thomas A. Seiler

M

any people hear the word “wealth” and think money. But money only tells part of the story. Wealth is far greater than entries in a portfolio or account balance. Wealth is the power to make things happen. It has the capacity to turn goals into reality. It changes the question from “if” to “when.”

It has the depth of possibility. It opens up the road less traveled and says “go explore.” Wealth has the power to enrich life for you and your family.

But most importantly, wealth is what it means to you. For some, it is the means to a quiet life in the country, free from worry. For others, it means globetrotting to the corners of the earth or building a family or a corporate empire. Wealth is the freedom to make the decisions that are best for you.

While The Seiler Group focuses on managing and growing your wealth, what they are really doing is helping you build freedom to achieve the life you want to live. That is what drives them to work diligently on your behalf. That is what keeps them passionate. The numbers on the statement tell one story. Hearing the stories from their clients as they live the lives they imagined—that is the story that lets them know they are doing things right. By building wealth, they know what they are really doing is building the freedom to make it all possible.

We design and install all projects from patios with fire pits, raised patios with retaining walls, and outdoor kitchens and living spaces. Our company is a one-stop shop for your entire project from design to reality, omitting subs and confusion for client convenience. With our clients’ ideas, there is no limiting of the imagination. We help you make your outdoor space a place to start making memories. From birthday parties to a candle light dinner for two, we are here to make your dreams come true.

35 colors & 5 wood grains available for vinyl fence, porch & step railings. High quality and durable, matching almost any color on your home. Never paint or stain again while setting your property apart today.

We also provide excavation, French drains, permeable paver systems, water harvesting systems, and pondless water features.

License # PA20584.

Coopersburg, PA • (610) 346-6867

It is important to take a comprehensive and personal approach to creating a financial life-plan that is attentive to the total needs of each client. This can best be achieved by following an established and structured process designed to ensure that each important priority and parameter is completely and properly addressed.

Discovery Before your first meeting, The Seiler Group suggests that you take a fresh inventory of your wealth including where each asset is located and what it is worth. At the meeting, you should begin by exploring many questions to try to capture what matters most to you and fully understand what you want to accomplish with your wealth. You should talk about you, your vision for the future, what worries you and what you are passionate about.

Analysis and Recommendation Based on the discussion above, The Seiler Group team will analyze your personal and financial information, including liabilities, assess risks and identify potential threats to your financial health. This step may include collaborating with your other professional advisors such as your attorney and CPA. All this information will help in completing a personalized lifeplan that can help address your income and cash flow needs,

borrowing requirements, asset protection, retirement planning, wealth transfer, philanthropy, and other areas beyond the scope of just investment management. By taking the additional time to carefully review these topics, you should feel comfortable with the proposed investment strategies and service providers before implementing your wealth plan.

Implementation After you have approved your wealth plan, The Seiler Group will work closely with you to implement it, bringing an objective approach, and paying special attention to how the various parts of your plan can affect, enhance and integrate with each other. Wherever appropriate, they will suggest additional, in-depth advice on particularly complex issues they have identified, including family dynamics, estate planning, lending, tax planning strategies and more.

Reviewing objectives The Seiler Group believes that ongoing communication is a vital component of an ongoing relationship. Your financial documents provide the foundation for regular meetings, and you should review your portfolio whenever you feel that your circumstances have changed. They will then seek to make certain that your assets are positioned according to your evolving needs. As necessary, The Seiler Group will suggest adjustments to your strategy to address changes in your circumstances or your objectives.

Success, and the wealth it generates, can create complexities and financial priorities that must be carefully addressed. The Seiler Group’s area of expertise lies in serving the specialized needs of high-net-worth clients. They are fully prepared to offer prudent financial guidance regarding your business, your personal life or your organization—today and for the future success you encounter.

Thomas A. Seiler is Senior Vice President, Investments, at The Seiler Group of Raymond James. A graduate of Montclair University, Tom has served as an NFLPA® Financial Advisor since 2003. For more information on The Seiler Group of Raymond James, call toll free (1.855) 4SEILER or visit online at www.raymondjames.com/theseilergroup.

September | October 2013

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The Pennsylvania Lemon Law Provides Free “Lemon-Aid” To Get You Back On The Road To Recovery

How to Get Sweet Justice When Your Car Turns Sour

By Michael J. Sacks

I

magine driving down the highway minding your own business when you hear a popping sound. Your dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree and driver’s instinct tells you to pull to the side of the road, where your car stalls without rhyme or reason.

Perhaps, you honk your horn when you see a driver coming into your lane, only to later discover you were veering into his lane and your tires were wearing out quickly as a result of alignment issues. Maybe your navigation system is consistently blacking out and freezing, directing you to a nervous breakdown. Or you escape a huge rainstorm by jumping into your SUV to find water dripping from your dome light, drenching your dashboard and floors.

These are scenarios faced by Pennsylvania drivers every day as they travel the highways and byways, resulting in trips back and forth to dealership service departments in an effort to have their problems fixed efficiently and effectively. However, many times, it takes numerous trips before the issue is finally addressed, resulting in interruptions to work, family life and social activities. In certain situations, the problem is never fixed and drivers are led to believe that they have to live with it. Terms they hear include “operating to normal specs” and “can not duplicate,” leaving consumers lost.

But distressed drivers who research the matter quickly discover an alternate route. They use State and Federal Laws to fight back against the car company. Both the Pennsylvania Lemon Law and the Federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act provide 100% cost-free legal representation. If you prevail, the car company must pay all attorneys fees and legal costs ON TOP OF what you receive. And if you do not prevail, there is no cost.

The Pennsylvania Lemon Law applies to personal vehicles purchased or leased new and registered in Pennsylvania, or purchased in another state and registered for the first time in Pennsylvania. In order to qualify under the PA Lemon Law, you must have the same problem occur three or more times. The first occurrence must happen within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles whichever comes first. You also have a Pennsylvania Lemon Law violation if your car is out of service 30 or more days within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles, and those days do not have to be consecutive.

Recourse depends on how much the problem affects the use, value and safety of the vehicle, and the number of times the consumer is back to the dealer to fix the problem. Remedies could include: A complete refund of the vehicle’s purchase price, including taxes, tags, finance charges, down payment and trade-in value, minus a small mileage offset to reflect the mileage when the problem fist occurred.

A cost-free exchange of your vehicle for a brand new vehicle with the same standard and optional equipment.

Or significant monetary compensation reflecting the diminished value of the vehicle as a result of the conditions. If you receive monetary damages, you continue to own your car; neither the claim nor the settlement appear on CarFax or any similar report; the vehicle title is not branded in any way; and all warranties remain in full effect.

It is also important to note that even if you fall outside of Lemon Law parameters, you still may have the right to significant recourse and free legal representation. If your vehicle has been in three or more times for the same issue under the original, extended or powertrain manufacturer’s warranty, you need to explore your rights.

If you feel that your lemon car is taking you for a ride, it’s important to fight for your rights. By successfully using these laws, you can put yourself back in the driver’s seat.

For more information regarding potential remedies under the Pennsylvania Lemon Law or Federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, call the Lemon Law Firm of Kimmel and Silverman at 1 800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652) or visit their website at www.lemonlaw.com. Since their inception in 1991, the Firm has provided free lemon law help to more than 75,000 drivers. They are the only Lemon Law firm in the country honored by the American Bar Association and their efforts have been featured on ABC’s Nightline, The CBS Early Show, Good Morning America, Extra, Consumer Reports and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine. They were directly responsible for rewriting the Pennsylvania Lemon Law in 2001, to include leased vehicles and tighter title branding for vehicles bought back under the Lemon Law. Michael J. Sacks is an automotive consumer advocate and Director of Communications and Client Services with Kimmel & Silverman. He regularly contributes to television and radio programs throughout the country.

If your vehicle has been in three or more times for the same issue under the original, extended or powertrain manufacturers warranty, you need to explore your rights.

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September | October 2013

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Sweat, Shred & Sashay This September At Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City Properties

I

n a natural transition from food to fitness, Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, Showboat Atlantic City and Bally’s Atlantic City are currently prepping for the next multi-day event that will follow the esteemed Atlantic City Food And Wine Festival.

All ticket holders will also receive free entry into the after party at the Club Harlem Ballroom and Foundation Room after the event.

Proceeds from the 2013 Miss’d America Pageant will benefit the Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance and Schultz-Hill Scholarship Foundation, and will then be divided among various charities. The pageant has currently donated more than $200,000 to related foundations.

Head to Caesars, Harrah’s Resort, Showboat and Bally’s Atlantic City September 21 & 22, 2013 for a fun-filled weekend of fitness, health and beauty all under one roof! Leave inspired!

Back for a second consecutive year, Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City’s health and fitness festival, Sweat AC, will take place September 21st and 22nd and will feature headlining fitness gurus Jillian Michaels of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” fame and Insanity’s Shaun T. Jillian Michaels will conduct two BODYSHRED classes on Saturday that will follow a 3-2-1 interval workout method of strength training, cardio and core work respectively while Shaun T will put you to the test with the Insanity Total Body Workout Sunday morning and afternoon. Here you will push through intense plyometric drills and more strength training, resistance and ab and core training intervals. Both personalities will also hold an afternoon address at the Caesars Expo Center where they will answer your burning health and fitness questions.

Participants will also have the chance to take a stab at other classes throughout the weekend like Poolside Pilates with Sweet & Thrasher which will focus on strength and flexibility to aid in overall toning, Grace & Glory Yoga with Allie Connover, Piloxing (the newest craze in Hollywood that combines pilates and boxing to build muscle), You Better Work – Body By Denise Warren, an aerobic Hip-Hop dance class, traditional cycling classes with Ray Wallace, and of course the ever so famous Zumba for a fun, choreographed, total body workout.

Tickets for each class range from $35 to $100 and can be purchased at sweatusa.com.

Also on tap for that weekend is Atlantic City’s famous 2013 Miss’d America Pageant at House Of Blues Atlantic City at Showboat. The evening will be hosted by Michelle Visage of LOGO Network’s “Drag Race” and will showcase the contestants in the categories of swimsuit, talent, evening gown and interview.

The 2013 Miss’d America Pageant is sponsored by the Greater Atlantic City GLBT Alliance and the Schultz-Hill Scholarship Foundation along with Caesars Entertainment. Tickets range from $45 to $100 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com or the House Of Blues Box Office.

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September | October 2013

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Trick-or-Treat, I Can See Your Cheeks

By Jenn Hallman

3 1 0 2 t s e f pumpkin

Twas All Hallow’s Eve and all through the streets, children in costumes were ringing for treats. The boys dressed as pirates, the girls in tutus, and parents held coffee mugs filled up with booze.

Ah,

ented by s e r P e b l this year wil

Halloween; the one night of the year when it’s simultaneously acceptable for Kindergarten girls to look like Sleeping Beauty and college girls to look like hookers.

It’s always fascinated me how our interpretation of this traditional Celtic holiday has evolved. In the “olden days” people believed that the souls of the dead roamed about along with demons and witches, so they would put delicious spirits on their doorsteps to ward off the scary ones. People started dressing up like these ghastly ghouls to sing or perform for their neighbors ultimately swapping entertainment for some full-moon pies.

nefit and will Be

However, the costumes went from blending in with the walking dead to expressing your favorite cartoon character to exposing apples that a frat boy may or may not be bobbing for later.

s

gram s) Prevention Pro ug dr r he ot d an o bacc ATOD (alcohol, to u ing with yo w o l g o t d rwar We look fo year on again this

h 4 –10 pm t 9 1 r e b o t c Saturday O

When did we go from Princess Aurora to Princess A-whore-a?

For every adorable fairy tale character costume, there’s an equally offensive “sexy” version. Teen and twenty-something gals spend more money for less costume, and the only ones they’re scaring are their fathers with their Facebook album entitled “Night of Debauchery and Princess Jasmine’s Nip Slip.”

The worst part is that some women continue to buy these “sexy” costumes well into their 30s. You are not a “sexy” pirate, girlfriend, you are a walking target for a roofie colada. Every woman deserves to feel confident enough to wear a Little Bo Peep outfit with peek-a-boo ruffled bloomers in public, but it doesn’t mean you should.

When your Alice in Wonderland costume is the same size as your 5-year-old niece’s it’s time to put down the magic mushrooms and start thinking about what you’re teaching her. Nobody wants to go to that tea party.

You can be wickedly gorgeous without exposing your goodies, but you need to put down the animal ears and lingerie and get creative. There are plenty of online resources that will give you some fantastic, flirty suggestions while still keeping it classy.

For example, buy some cheap black knee-highs, stuff them with newspaper and sew them onto a black dress. I used one from the clearance rack. Combine it with fishnets, heels and a birdcage hairpiece, and you’re a black widow spider. You could also repurpose that old, pink velour sweat suit you’ve had in your closet since J-Lo’s “I’m Real” video dropped in the TRL lineup, and go the cute and comfy route as a Care Bear. Design a belly out of white felt and some puffy paint to pin to your shirt, glue some puffins onto your hood and tush, and voila, you’re Cheer Bear. Whatever you choose, just do our five-year-olds a favor and stop buying stripper costumes. Instead, hop onto Pinterest and get your hot glue gun ready. His name is Grumpy Bear, not Humpy Bear.

Jenn Hallman graduated from West Chester University with a BFA in English, a focus in theatre & creative writing, and a strong liver. She is also a teacher, actress, singer, comedian, and CoFounder/Director of Marketing & Outreach for H.O.P.E. Players in Elkins Park.

pumpkinfest 2013 Volunteer & Sponsorship Opportunities Please Call 215.489.9120

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For more information visit cb-cares.org

Local Living September | October 2013

Sep-

HEALTH

OVER 125 VENDORS KIDSZONE • FOOD COURT 2 MUSIC STAGES ANNUAL BARK IN THE PARK AND MUCH MORE!

Fall Family Festival & Bark in the Park

Sunday, Sept 29 11am-4pm

th

King Street, Warren Ave, & Burke Park - Malvern, PA

Come Party with

Savvy Shoppers Make Happy Denture Wearers

By Jonathan Fashbaugh

I

manage a Facebook page for the inventor of a denture technique.

It’s an odd job, but it presents some rewarding challenges. My job isn’t to sell dentures. My job is to educate people on how to shop for a denture. The more you know about the different types of dentures, and what different providers can offer, the happier you’ll be with your investment.

exact match for their denture templates. Still, if you need a denture and you only have $400, and you want it today, this is the way to go.

Know What Is Important To You The number one question among denture shoppers is, “How much are your dentures?” This is important. You don’t want to waste your time considering a denture you can’t afford, but ‘How much?’ isn’t necessarily the most important denture shopping question. You don’t want to spend more than what you have to on a denture, but you might be very unhappy if you discovered that your “bargain” dentures are painful to wear or slip around a lot while you speak. Here are some questions to ask yourself when shopping for dentures:

Traditional Dentures – These dentures are available at almost any dental practice. Traditional dentures are more customized than at a “denture mill” that does hundreds of dentures a week, so the fit and aesthetics are likely to be a little better. You will pay more for traditional dentures than economy dentures, but less than the next option. Patients may need several follow-up appointments because they’re unhappy with the fit and aesthetics.

Do I really need/want a new denture?

How important is the comfort of my denture?

How important is the look of my denture?

How important is the function of my denture in terms of bite strength and stability?

Am I willing to sacrifice look, comfort, or stability, in order to save money?

from 1pm - 4pm Sponsored in part by: Malvern Business & Professional Association

For More information or to /MalvernFestivals 82 Local Living September | October 2013 become a vendor:

jalmarketing@yahoo.com

Know Your Options There are different types of dentures that offer a spectrum of benefits.

Here’s a short overview.

Economy Dentures – The chief benefit of these dentures is that they are cheap. Bargain denture companies are able to offer affordable denture prices because they do high volumes. They also fabricate dentures quickly by using a “small, medium, or large” approach. Unfortunately, there is very little room for customization. You’re more likely to need denture paste and experience denture pain because your mouth isn’t an

According to Dr. Ken Siegel of Dental Excellence of Blue Bell, “For some patients, this is the best option for their current needs. The problem is that most patients find they are unhappy with the end result.”

Neuromuscular Dentures – These dentures are the most custommade of the three options. The process uses technology to evaluate the bite and anatomy of your mouth, including your bite, in three dimensions. According to Dr. Siegel, “They also address the fullness of the lips and the height for your smile to achieve results that can look like you’ve had a facelift. My patients are thrilled with the look and the fit. These dentures change lives,” said Dr. Siegel.

Start Shopping Be willing to go into an office for a consultation and ask questions that pertain to your goals. Ask to see before and after photos of denture patients, and look into financing options that might extend your buying power. Your teeth have a large influence on your quality of life, and are worth careful shopping.

About the Author Jonathan Fashbaugh manages social media for Strickland Facelift Dentures™. Special thanks to Dr. Ken Siegel of Dental Excellence of Blue Bell, in Blue Bell, PA. For more information about Strickland Facelift Dentures™ in the Philadelphia area, visit www.PhillyFaceliftDentures. com or call (610) 272-0828.

[Disclaimer: The Strickland Facelift Dentures ™ services are in no way related to Dr. Sam Muslin’s exclusive Face Lift Dentistry ® treatment.]

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Thank You

for making us the best office for your sports injuries!

• Active Release Techniques TM Performed by the doctor, this patented, stateof-the-art soft tissue movement based massage technique treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves.

• Kinesio Taping – Kinesio Taping gives support and stability to joints and muscles while allowing a patient to move through a normal range of motion. It decreases inflammation and reduces pain.

• Fusion Therapy – We use traditional physical therapy exercises combined with specific pilates exercises on the mat and Reformer to increase range of motion and strengthen the healing area to prevent re-injury.

• Triton TM DTS Decompression Therapy – Nonsurgical solution for herniated discs in the neck and low back; also effective for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

• Neuromuscular Re-education – This is another soft tissue therapy geared specifically to athletes that addresses strains/sprains, shin splints & healing fractures.

• CranioSacral Therapy – Relieves tensions deep within the body to relieve pain and dysfunction. It can improve whole-body performance by helping the body naturally unwind.

• Myofascial Release/Trigger Point Therapy – Our certified massage therapists & doctor use this technique to break up scar tissue & increase range of motion.

• Laser Therapy – This therapy has been used by professional sports teams for years to dramatically speed up healing time and promote healthy cell growth.

• Traditional Chiropractic Manipulation and traditional physical therapy modalities such as ultrasound, TENS, heat/ice, and kinesiotaping in your treatment plan.

• Pilates Reformer Lessons – Build long, lean muscles with the Pilates Reformer, ladder barrel and MVE pilates chair. Private lessons or Duets.

• Therapeutic Massage – Deep massage targeted to decrease muscle spasm and pain.

• Pre-Natal Massage – To ease aches and pains of pregnancy. Can be combined with pre-natal exercise and stretching.

• Hands-on Performance Enhancement Training – Under the expertise of 2-time NFL Super Bowl champion and former Philadelphia Eagle Vaughn Hebron. Vaughn brings you world-class personal training and sports conditioning for athletes and men and women of all ages.

Dr. Jennifer S. Grozalis Chiropractic Physician 105 Terry Drive Suite 114 Newtown, PA 18940 P: 215.860.9798 F: 215.860.3422 www.synergyrehabandchiro.com

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St. Luke’s Quakertown Campus St. Luke’s Women’s Imaging Services in Your Community State-of-the-art digital technologies and timely, convenient appointments

I

Imaging has played an increasingly important role to identify breast abnormalities at their earliest, most treatable stage. In the Quakertown community, women benefit from all-digital screening mammography from GE Healthcare and convenient appointments at the St. Luke’s Women’s Imaging Center on the St. Luke’s Quakertown Campus as well as the Upper Perkiomen Outpatient Center in Pennsburg.

“Getting a screening mammogram still remains one of the best things a woman can do to protect her health,” says Dr. Joseph Russo, Section Chief of Women’s Imaging, St. Luke’s University Health Network. “The ultimate goal of a screening mammogram is to find a breast cancer early before it starts to produce symptoms or spreads to areas outside the breast. Breast cancers found during screening exams are more likely to be small and offer the best chance for successful treatment or even a cure.”

St. Luke’s follows the American Cancer Society’s recommendation for women age 40 and older to have a screening mammogram every year and continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. “We continue to support this good advice, knowing that it saves lives,” says Dr. Russo.

The diagnostic mammogram is a more in-depth mammogram and is performed after an abnormal screening mammogram, or if a problem is evident, such as a lump or pain in the breast or nipple discharge. The breast ultrasound is used to determine if the area found is solid (lump) or fluid-filled (cyst). The breast MRI may be used as a screening tool in women who are at an increased risk for developing breast cancer and who have very dense breast tissue. It is often used after diagnosis of breast cancer is made to be sure there is no other cancer than has not been detected. Breast MRI is also available at St. Luke’s Quakertown Campus.

Women’s Imaging Services St. Luke’s Quakertown Campus 121 South 11th Street, Quakertown Monday: 9 am to 5:30 pm; Tuesday: 7 am to 2:30 pm; Wednesday: 7 am to 2:30 pm; Thursday: 8 am to 5:30 pm; Friday: 8 am to 12 noon.

St. Luke’s Upper Perkiomen Outpatient Center 2793 Geryville Pike, Pennsburg Monday: 8:30 am to 5 pm; Tuesday: 7 am to 5 pm; Wednesday: 10 am to 8 pm; Thursday: 7 am to 3 pm; Friday: 7 am to 5 pm; Saturday: 8 am to noon.

To make an appointment for a screening mammogram, call St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital at 215-538-4575.

St. Luke’s Breast Center in Center Valley, Diagnostic Breast Services 5848 Old Bethlehem Pike 2nd floor, Center Valley If further evaluation is needed, diagnostic breast services are available at St. Luke’s Regional Breast Center in Center Valley—the only facility of its kind in the region to provide diagnostic mammograms or higher-level breast imaging exclusively.

DR. RUSSO

Learn why healing for women’s cancers begin at the St. Luke’s Quakertown Campus Women’s Center. Meet our team of women’s cancer experts at www.sluhn.org/cancer.

For more information or to schedule a new patient appointment, call 484-503-HOPE (4673).

Local Living September | October 2013

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St. Luke’s Opens new Women’s Center in Quakertown

The specialists you may be looking for are right here at the St. Luke’s Quakertown Campus Women’s Center — respected obstetricians and gynecologists; maternal-fetal medicine specialists to manage high-risk pregnancies; and fellowshiptrained women’s cancer experts to provide the most appropriate care for breast and gynecologic malignancies.

Introducing St. Luke’s Women’s Cancer Experts Board-certified surgeon Tricia Kelly, MD, FACS, specializing in breast surgical oncology; gynecologic oncologist Nicholas Taylor, MD, FACOG; and hematologist/medical oncologist Asim Ali, MD have the experience and expertise to manage women’s cancers. Drs. Kelly and Taylor earned their medical degrees in Philadelphia and went on to complete rigorous fellowship training at premier medical schools in their areas of expertise.

Dr. Kelly completed her fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology at the renowned Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio and received her medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Dr. Kelly is part of a team of breast cancer specialists that include radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, breast health specialists, genetic and cancer counselors and support staff who are there every step of the

way to offer support, foster hope and provide the best treatment options available, including IORT (intraoperative radiation therapy) for early stage breast cancer. This is a safe and innovative treatment that can spare some women weeks of radiation therapy.

Dr. Taylor serves as Section Chief of Gynecologic Oncology for St. Luke’s University Health Network. He completed his fellowship in gynecologic oncology from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri and received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Dr. Taylor practices the surgical and medical management of gynecologic malignancies including ovarian, endometrial, cervical and vulvar cancers. He performs complex pelvic surgery and minimally invasive surgery through laparoscopy and robotics. He also works with a team of cancer specialists including radiation oncologists, genetic counselors, and support staff.

Dr. Ali is a board-certified hematologist/oncologist. He completed his fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center/Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh. He received his medical degree from the Aga Khan University Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan.

To make an appointment, call St. Luke’s Central Scheduling at 484-526-1000, or call toll-free at 1-800-801-7745.

COME AND MEET OUR EXPERT TEAM

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Women’s Center

DR. TAYLOR

DR. KELLY

DR. ALI

BREAKTHROUGHS OVER BREAKFAST Discover the Newest Advances in Women’s Cancers: Saturday, October 19th, 10 am to Noon at the Hampton Inn, 1915 Hohn Fries Hwy., Quarkertown, PA 18951 Please RSVP by October 11, 2013 to 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537).

Please indicate if you are bringing a guest.

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Babies Delivered with Tender Loving Care Gift Wrapping Optional Feel confident and comfortable knowing our team of five obstetrical physicians are here to deliver your baby.

Make the right choice. Call for an appointment today.

JEAN O. FITZGERALD, MD • VIVIAN YEH, MD • CAROLYN IANIERI, DO NESTOR I. SENDZIK, MD • TUAN A. LE, MD

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708 Shady Retreat Rd., Suite 7, Doylestown, PA 18901 215.340.2229 • www.doylestownwomenshealth.com Most Insurances Accepted

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HEALTH

Back to School Already?

By Matthew W. Gelber, MS MFT

H

ow often do I hear that in my office? Parents and children alike feel the same way. Look forward to summer all year long and then Labor Day is here before you know it. Along with cooler nights and a taste of fall in the air comes the anxiety of change. Any change brings some level of anxiety but generally school will bring on a lot more. Why? Well, families have spent a great summer together, the pool, the beach, trips and being together. Knowing that life changes each year, most families do feel some level of anxiety with change. Even nervous energy can lead to stress. How do we know what to do with this and how can we address it? Let’s figure that out here.

First off, as the summer comes to a close, I highly recommend to my clients to maintain a similar level of activity together. Just because you may not see each other as much, it’s up to you to stick together. Keep the family dinners going, plan a fall trip together, and organize your lifestyle as best you can so those special summer feelings don’t end on the Sunday of Labor Day!

on as much as you can but leave as much as you can behind. I’d much rather see a happy family and children then a family that’s only trying to keep up with things, because they think they should. I can tell you from much experience both in my practice and raising twins with my wife, life will sneak up on you and stress will keep you from reaching your goals.

Life is learning every day. I believe that if you try your best, you will be rewarded. Let’s all remember that feeling we love watching a sunset at the beach this summer and translate that feeling into how you move forward in your life in general. If we all try, we can only achieve more together.

Matthew W. Gelber is a Psychotherapist who owns and operates The Weldon Center in Malvern, Pennsylvania. Known for its personalized care for individuals, couples and families in counseling and therapy. Please visit www.mattgelber.com or call 610.310.5898 for more information.

Secondly, I would make a recommendation to keep reality in check. No one else can do it all, so don’t think you can either. Everyone has limits and sometimes stress catches up with you when you least expect it.

Just as summer comes to a close and the stress of school and life moves forward, so do you. It’s a mindset. Begin with knowing that if you do as much as you can, you’re not doing anything at its best. I would try to take September | October 2013

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profile

Dilworth Custom Designs, Inc. There’s No Place Like Home

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o it’s time to update your kitchen, one of the most significant investments you can make in your home. As the heart of any house, improving this room increases the value of your property. Where do you start? How do you find the right team for the job?

There are many misconceptions in the industry, so the best road to success is to know the facts. You will need to get at least three estimates for the peace of mind you can only get from shopping around, a low, medium and a high price. Now how do you choose? Cheaper does not mean better; the most expensive does not mean the most experienced.

Dave Dilworth explains, “We will not start a project until we know that the same crew can be on-site to do the work every day for the duration of the project. We are a ‘soup to nuts’ shop: we do it all.

We do not subcontract. Our clients can have confidence knowing that the same crew will be at their home day in and day out to complete the work.” He advises the following steps to achieve ultimate satisfaction.

Step one: begin with the end in mind. Be as descriptive as you can with your end vision. Be open to suggestions from the professionals you meet with, but know where you are going so you can budget accordingly.

ask questions. Choose the three you feel comfortable letting into your home.

Step three: now comes the fun. It is very important to get professionals on the same platform. You have to do some homework to make sure you are comparing apples to apples. You know what you want and you’ve explained it. You’ve got options now. The choice is yours.

Simon and Kathleen, of Trappe, Pennsylvania, were kind enough to share the experience they had with Dilworth Custom Designs, Inc. We knew to a large extent what we wanted.We came to the table with ideas, magazine clippings, and a good understanding of the look we were going for. Dilworth helped us pull it all together and executed the project seamlessly.

If we had advice to give to others, it would be this: understand that there will always be surprises. Developing a good working collaborative relationship with your contractor will often result in an outcome that’s better than you originally planned. With Dilworth, this was a natural product of our relationship.”

Call us at (610) 917-9119 or stop in at 175 N. Whitehorse Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460. We are on the web at www.dilworthcustomdesign.com.

Step two: get the estimates. Collect referrals and do your homework. Bad news travels faster than good news. Do not be afraid to 92

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Local Goes Local

Cemetery Walk RoundUp

By Andrea Preziotti

By Diane Burns

My

father was famous for taking walks and whether at home or on vacation he would always find time to pull on his Rockports and venture out on a solitary adventure. He walked to familiarize himself with new places, to clear his mind, and to reflect on life and I’ve definitely inherited his love of the stroll. Walking is good for the mind, body and soul and has proven to effectively benefit your heart health. I find myself following in my father’s footsteps often. I discovered the pleasantry of walking through historic cemeteries when a friend suggested I visit Baudelaire’s grave in the Cimetière de Montparnasse in Paris.

I was inexplicably hooked and have practiced this spiritual passeggiata both here in the US, and wherever I may be around the world.

Cemeteries are living museums that connect us to the history of a city, town or village. They tell the stories of those buried--tales of love and war, victory and defeat, happiness and sorrow, stories that paint a picture of what life was like in the past. As you stroll through the cemetery grounds and read aloud the names in stone, admire the detail of the sculptures and mausoleums, you can almost imagine history retelling itself, whispering its secrets into your ear. Such is the magic of our past.

Lake Champlain, Vermont

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he sizzling, hot days of summer are coming to an end and a new season will arrive shortly. A beautiful way to usher in this season is to take a trip to the Champlain Valley of Vermont.

From quaint villages to the fiery Green Mountains the beauty of the colors of foliage is a sight to behold. Yankee Magazine has claimed that Route 100 in the Valley is the “Best Fall Foliage” in New England.

Thousands of “leaf peepers” arrive in Vermont every year to enjoy the extraordinary beauty of the valley. There are four amazing driving “gaps” in the area.

Gorgeous vistas and overlooks are yours to enjoy in the Appalachian, Middlebury, Lincoln and Roxbury gaps. The route stretches 138 miles connecting some of the best skiing and riding opportunities in New England.

choose, be sure to include some of the many other attractions along the way.

Perhaps of interest to you is a trip to the Cabot Cheese Factory in the Green Mountains, “home of the best cheddar in New England.” Maybe a stop at Ben and Jerry’s on Route 100 for a scoop or two of their many flavors of ice cream is more to your liking. Of course one can’t forget to take home a bottle of Vermont’s maple syrup.

If you happen to be in the Stowe area visit the Trappe Family Lodge.

The lodge is owned and managed by the Trappe family that was portrayed in The Sound of Music. You may even want to view the foliage from the air as you glide by in a hot air balloon.

Whether it is a balloon ride or a driving tour you will enjoy an experience you will never forget. Along the many roadways you’ll find numerous places for overnight stays from hotels to bed and breakfasts. Wonderful restaurants are sprinkled along Route 100. Take the time to partake of a meal from one of them after a day of sightseeing.

For further information visit www.foliage-vermont.com.

In Middlebury take time to appreciate the natural beauty of the foliage that was the inspiration for many of Robert Frost’s poems. The first leaves of scarlet red and bright gold appear in mid-September in the northern part of the state; “peak” colors travel south after that until the end of October. Yellow birch-covered hills rise above green valleys. The colors are so vibrant they are a feast to your senses.

Foliage season is a very popular time in Vermont so make your plans early.

Decide whether you are going to drive yourself or take a tour; whichever you 98

Local Living September | October 2013

Diane Burns is a freelance writer currently residing in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

Many cemeteries in the region host walking tours throughout the autumn months, revealing the local history of famous, as well as infamous, inhabitants from the past. Below is a selection of locations in our region.

• Delaware: Riverview (Wilmington) • Delaware: Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery (Wilmington) • New Jersey: Harleigh Cemetery (Camden)

• New Jersey: Princeton Cemetery (Princeton) • New Jersey: Jersey City Cemetery (Jersey City) • New York: Forest Lawn (Buffalo) • New York: Green-Wood Cemetery (Brooklyn) • Pennsylvania: Laurel Hill (Philadelphia) • Pennsylvania: Beechwood Historic Cemetery (Bensalem) • Pennsylvania: Doylestown Cemetery (Doylestown)

A full list of historic cemeteries can be found on the Internet. For research purposes, I used the following sites as references: Wikipedia - List of cemeteries in the United States Names in Stone - Cemetery Maps Andrea Preziotti is a writer living in Brooklyn, NY. She has contributed articles as a freelance writer and editor for The Huffington Post, The Journal of Cultural Conversation and LA Splash. To learn more about Andrea, click here for her blog.

Fasionista Fashion Belongs to Everyone

W

e live in a world of wanting to be all things to all people!

This especially applies to fashion designers as they are true “chameleons” and every season they reinvent themselves with their new collections.

outlets they are designing the merchandise to be sold in. Therefore the luxury brand designers reach a broader market and exposure to a younger demographic while also hopefully gaining new clients in the future to the designer and their brand.

In an age of disposable clothing the fashion houses and designers struggle to remain relevant. In this quest, the diffusion lines for mass retailers have become the rage for luxury design houses like Missoni for Target, Versace for H&M and Marchesa for JCPenney.

In the end everyone benefits since it is “affordable couture” which is truly ironic but necessary in today’s world of “I am over it as soon as I wear it once.”

The lower priced merchandise not only offers a new source of cash flow for luxury design houses but also offers an opportunity for exposure to a new audience who might never have heard of them. The average person usually cannot either afford the designer’s luxury brand or simply cannot fit into the clothes they design. The mass retailers benefit by being able to feature exclusive items and develop hip product launches using the luxury brands image.

The beauty of the in-most-cases-one-time collaboration is that the diffusion lines are affordably priced and have contemporary sizing due to the retail 100

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This all brings to mind one of my favorite quotes, something my fashion mentor told me in my twenties, appropriated from Henry Ford. She always said, “Remember my darling girl, that if you cater to the classes you live always like the masses and if you cater to the masses you will live like the classes.” The truth is that in fashion today both the classes and masses need each other to capture the attention of the audiences they want to appeal to.

~ Anonymous Self-Proclaimed Shopaholic

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You Are Invited To

A Day With Arabians October 5th, 2013 • 10 am to 4 pm

At this Complimentary Business Seminar, you will learn: • Why Egyptian Arabians are rare, beautiful and how you can build a successful business around them without prior experience or owning a farm; • That Egyptian Arabians are the most profitable segment of the Arabian breeding business; • How to run a breeding business with low overhead and higher returns.

You take the time for continuing education for your primary business, why not treat yourself to a day in the country and learn how you can apply good business principles to your passion for these amazing horses?

Complimentary catered lunch and refreshments will be served!

Space is limited. Registration is required.

Register online: thornewoodfarm.com or by phone or email.

609-577-1976 thornewoodfarm@gmail.com AS SEEN ON

50 Dunkard Church Road Stockton, NJ 08559 thornewoodfarm.com

Prepare to Fall i n Love!

You’ve suffered dry eye for long enough.

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Local Living September | October 2013

Breast cancer can hide in dense tissue out of view from traditional mammography, but we see through the layers of tissue with the nation’s most advanced imaging technology.

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This project was financed in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development. © 2013 AEHN