Midtown Magazine by Midtown, 5 West, Triangle Family

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2017

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The real estate market in the Triangle is hot, hot, hot – so we check in with some experts in the area to tell us what that actually means for people who are shopping for a home now. If you need help figuring out where in the world to start, we’ve got you covered with this issue’s special real estate section. Spring is right around the bend, and most of us are anxiously awaiting the last freeze to get out and start planting and puttering around in the garden. Get started by reading tips from area experts, then sharpen your shovels and hoes and pull on your gardening gloves. I’ve recently filled up my bird feeders and have been loving watching the bird life (and sneaky squirrels trying to foil my squirrelproof feeders). Explore the lovely home and the bold colors of the Russell family, who have renovated their traditional 1930s Inside the Beltline home three times over the past 22 years. It’s in the Budleigh neighborhood, and we think you’ll love it as much as we do. In North Carolina you never know what temperature it will be, even in the so-called winter months, so check out our Spring Arts Preview to find both indoor and outdoor activities to keep you busy – we cover the whole Triangle.

Photography Davies Photography | Joe Reale

Remember we are facing the peak pollen season in March and April, so pack your antihistamine when heading out to those outdoor concerts. Scouting around the area lead us to interview ten “Women of Impact”, folks who maybe aren’t normally in the limelight, yet are clearly deserving of a little recognition. Read about each woman’s often-understated leadership in areas of importance and get ready to be inspired. The Faces of Raleigh will be published in our next issue, May/June. Don’t miss out on our second annual feature of local businesses and owners. To take a look at last year’s participants check out the link: midtownmag.com/facesof raleigh2016-1 and let us know if you want to get involved in 2017. Deadlines are March 21st, so give us a holler soon! As always, let me know if there is something out there in Raleigh that needs to be covered in our pages.

Sioux

Sioux watson

Distribution Manager Joe Lizana Midtown Magazine is published six times annually. Any reproduction in part or in whole of any part of this publication is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher. Midtown Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photography or art. Unsolicited material is welcome and is considered intended for publication. Such material will become the property of the magazine and will be subject to editing. Material will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Midtown Magazine will not knowingly accept any real estate advertising in violation of US equal opportunity law.

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contents ma r ch/ april

features 98 home & garden

Come on in! Step inside a beautiful home Inside the Beltline that features a bold color palette, vintage treasures and unstoppable panache.

112 spring arts preview

A look at the upcoming art scene in the Triangle. Everything from Raleigh’s St. Paddy’s Day parade to the North Carolina Symphony – we’ve got you covered!

122 raleigh on the move

Whether you’re a buyer interested in purchasing a new or existing home, or a seller getting ready to enter this fast-moving market, you will find the Triangle continues to rate among the most desirable regions in the country to live.

women of impact These are the local leaders who are enabling positive change, inspiring others and making a difference in the world.

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2017

contents m arch/ april

2017

departments 34 on the scene 44 beer & barrel 48 close to home 52 financial focus 54 giving back 58 the interview 62 raising the bar 64 sunday supper 68 foodie focus 70 uncorked 72 style line 76 homestyler 80 minding your business 84 tastes of the city 130 midtown downtown 134 dining guide 140 healthy you 149 out & about 162 everyday places

2017

48 close to home: tucked away in midtown is lassiter mill park

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Ansel Adams: Masterworks is organized by the Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Redding, California. Exhibition tour management by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, California. presented by supporting sponsors First Citizens Bank QuintilesIMS participating sponsor CEI media support WTVD-TV ABC-11 Glory of Venice: Renaissance Paintings 1470–1520 is organized by the Denver Art Museum in collaboration with the North Carolina Museum of Art. It is presented with generous support from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, Robert Lehman Foundation, and The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation. This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities. In Raleigh generous support is provided by the Ron and Jeanette Doggett Endowment. supporting sponsors QuintilesIMS VIETRI media support WTVD-TV ABC-11 Both exhibitions are made possible, in part, by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, Inc.; and the William R. Kenan Jr. Endowment for Educational Exhibitions. Research for these exhibitions was made possible by Ann and Jim Goodnight/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fund for Curatorial and Conservation Research and Travel.

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The scene

taste

The Raw Deal Beautifully Delicious Food You Can Feel Good About Eating By Steven Major Photography by Davies Photography Sherif Fouad and Leslie Woods started Raleigh Raw in 2013, offering cold-pressed juices as a healthy alternative to what was commonly sold in stores at a time when the raw food movement in the US was starting to grow in popularity. After comparing the price of a bottle of cold-pressed orange juice to its mass produced “100% juice” counterpart it is tempting to dismiss it as a ploy, to get you to pay more for the same product. But for Sherif and Leslie, serving raw food is not just a gimmick; they truly believe that they are offering customers a healthier way to eat, and there is plenty of science to back up their belief. In order to increase shelf life, various techniques are employed and that carton of 100% orange juice from the grocery store has almost certainly gone through a deoxidization process to kill parasites and bacteria, simultaneously removing much of the flavor and nutrition. “Flavor packets”, which are custom combinations of dyes, perfumes and flavorings, are then added back. It’s a bit disturbing, but this isn’t new information; it has been known for some time that many pasteurization techniques sacrifice nutrition in the name of shelf life, reducing otherwise nutritious juices to what is essentially sugar water. In the same way that heat can degrade the nutrition in fruits and vegetables, cooking can also degrade the fatty acids in salmon and tuna and leads to oxidation, which in turn leads

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to the creation of free radicals. When metabolized, these free radicals are associated with cancer, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease. Setting aside the science, flavor packets are no substitute for the real thing when it comes to taste; the coldpressed juices and smoothies from Raleigh Raw have to be tried in order to be appreciated. In March of 2016 Raleigh Raw opened a storefront on Hargett Street and began serving food to go with their juices and smoothies, enlisting the help

of Jake Wood from Cowfish to add poke bowls and sushi to the menu. Coming from the Hawaiian verb meaning ‘to slice’, poke bowls are a popular dish on the island and are growing in popularity locally as the American taste for raw seafood expands beyond sushi. Head chef Kevin Ruiz creates poke bowls that look like works of art, combining the subtle flavors of raw seafood with fresh fruits, herbs and vegetables to create delicious meals that defy the conventional tradeoff between nutrition and flavor.

The scene

TECH

Move Over, Fitbit there’s a new fitness tracker onhand. Literally. By Dan Bain | Photos courtesy of Motiv Ring Unveiled at CES (Consumer Electronics Show®) 2017, Motiv Ring is a stylish, comfortable alternative to wrist-based fitness trackers. It’s a titanium ring, 8mm wide, 2.5mm thick, and available in seven whole-number sizes and two colors – rose gold or slate gray. Motiv uses an optical heart rate sensor to track your activity, heart rate, and sleep. Which means yes, you can wear it all day and all night, removing it only every three to five days to recharge its lithium ion battery. Motiv Ring measures active minutes, active heart rate, activity types, steps, distance, calories burned, and sleep duration. While you sleep, it measures your resting heart rate, which is used to set your active minute threshold for daytime – activities count more if they raise your heart rate to a certain level, and are considered to be active minutes. The ring communicates all of this information via Bluetooth® to the Motiv 36 | midtownmag.com

app, currently available on iPhone only (iOS 9.0 or higher), but intended to be available for Android this summer. The idea is, with a ring as opposed to more conspicuous wristbands, you’re less likely to remove the tracker, so it’s constantly monitoring your stats and providing feedback. It’s even waterproof up to 5ATM – no need to fear sweat or showers messing up this tracker. The battery charges in less than 90 minutes, and Motiv Ring comes with two USB magnetic chargers – one a keychain version, for on-the-go charging. When you reserve a ring, the company will send you a sizing set; after measuring, come back to the website to select your size and color, and your Motiv Ring will ship in two days (once initial shipping has begun). For now, you’ll have to pre-order and wait until spring, when shipping is set to begin. Motiv Ring is available for $199 at http://mymotiv.com/.

The scene

style

Sneaker Politics

left: Saks photo by Jeffrey Matthews Jr. right: Social Status photo by Jalen Neal

The rebirth of a fashion culture By Ruhama Wolle Women are finally hanging up their sky-high stilettos, tossing on a pair of sneakers, and marching for their rights across the globe. Times are changing as 2017 has marked the year women are more involved than ever, no longer conforming to the “ultimate symbol of femininity.” Fashion has always been a reflection of our political culture, but in today’s world, what is it exactly saying? Just as an artist conveys the social meanings of their time, women are using fashion to unveil stereotypes and exercise their rights. A new movement of women rocking sneakers has gained traction with the outgrowth of conventional masculine and feminine clothes. Since its birth in the 19th century, the sneaker has been about much more than athletics. Although the first shoe endorsement began with Chuck Taylor’s famous Converse All Stars, it was Nike who revolutionized sneaker culture with the 38 | midtownmag.com

introduction of the Air Jordans. Sneakers became the “it” item as street culture, hip-hop and sports ushered the urban style into pop culture and eventually mainstream media. Soon enough every kid wanted to emulate their icons who were rocking the freshest, hardest-to-find limited models. Nowadays, the sneaker is reclaiming its former glory, as highend women’s shoe designers are entering the men’s shoe game. Women have been overlooked for far too long in the sneaker department. According to Pop Sugar, “Sneakers are the ultimate spring to summer shoe.” Granted, heels look great, but nowadays women are looking for the comfort of sneakers – and the best part lies in their versatility. In order to become the ultimate sneakerhead, one must know the range in styles to rock this spring. Here are the top six: classic white low-tops, leather hightops, mesh sporty trainers, embroidered sneakers, fringed leather sneakers, and the

embossed suede slip-ons. So where are the hot spots in Raleigh for the newly initiated sneakerhead girl? Depends on your style. If you’re looking for the refined luxury sneaker to pair with your pleated midiskirt or ankle trousers, Saks Fifth Avenue has a medley with their metallic Rockstudd Valentino, Vince leather lace-ups, and croc-embossed Joie slip-ons. But if you’re the classic sports type ready to pair a graphic tee and varsity bomber, Social Status is the venue. Located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, Social Status is the hub for the latest women’s Adidas NMD, Nike Air Presto or the Air Jordan II in legend blue. Although sneakers dominate in men’s shoes, there’s a modest selection for us tomgirls and who says we can’t dabble in the men’s collection. Sneakers have always been the staple in every man’s wardrobe, but norms are shifting. Five years from now, I see women looking chic in sneakers while owning their position. Walkability is the new black.

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The scene

arts

Friday Film Series

the ncma’s secu audiorium attracts a full house year round. photo courtesy of ncma.

Playing to Sold-out Crowds at NCMA By Dan Bain For more than three decades, the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) has been drawing a crowd of enthusiasts on certain Friday nights to sit and stare for an hour or two at a special kind of art on the wall – the kind that moves. It moves hearts, it moves minds, it moves on the wall. It’s motion pictures, and it attracts a full house of 240 audience members per film during NCMA’s fall, winter, and spring film series in the museum’s SECU Auditorium. “Friday is the one night the museum is open late; people can have dinner in the restaurant, see some of the galleries, then see a film,” NCMA Film Curator Laura Boyes said of the experience. “It has a relatively long tradition and a very dedicated audience, and it’s been a lot of fun for me; I hope for the audience, as well.” Boyes introduces each film in the

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recently renovated auditorium, while audience members enjoy concessions such as beer, wine, cookies and soft drinks. She gives background information on the films, watches them with the audience, and sticks around after each to talk to anyone interested in discussing what they just watched together. “One thing I really love about the series is, seeing a film with an audience is a wonderfully communal and gratifying experience,” she said. “I always see things in a film with an audience that I don’t see watching it at home. The funny stuff is funnier, the dramatic stuff is more dramatic. People don’t have the same high level of engagement in a commercial theater sometimes.” SECU Auditorium is also the only venue in the Triangle that can still show 35mm film, a niche format that probably drives such engagement. Boyes said the

series was set up to be eclectic, and all of this season’s shows have been sold out. Each series is usually based around a theme or themes; NCMA is in the midst of its winter series, which has multiple mini-themes tying into Ingrid Bergman’s 100th birthday and the NCMA’s collections of Elizabethan portraiture and Ansel Adams photographs. The spring series will include films set in Venice, to coincide with the museum’s Glory of Venice exhibition, and a special presentation of the popular musical revue, “King of Jazz.” Films usually begin at 8pm, and Boyes urges would-be audience members to reserve seats in advance; tickets are typically $5 for NCMA members and $7 for non-members. The series schedules are available online at http:// ncartmuseum.org/programs_and_events/ view/films.

The scene

sports

A Game for all Shapes and Sizes Rugby Youth Leagues Growing Across Triangle Story and Photos By Dave Droschak

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Matt Ross was looking for another sport for his 10-year-old son Brennan to play when a yard sign caught his eye advertising Cary Rugby, and the conversation soon began between father and son about what the sport has to offer. The elder Ross played for a club team in New Jersey for a few years as a teenager, so he was familiar with rugby – a sport that some believe dates back to the Greeks and Romans, but certainly to England in the 19th century. Brennan was playing youth hockey – another contact sport – and was willing to give rugby a shot. “I told him he was going to get hit,” the father told the curious son. “And he wanted to hit people as well. I think it’s great, it’s better than staying in the house and playing PlayStation. Sure, it’s a rough sport, but it’s also a

gentleman’s game.” There are many misconceptions about rugby, mostly coming from those who have never played the game, considering it a brutal and bloody head-knocking affair. Not so. In fact, some NFL coaches, including Pete Carroll with the Seattle Seahawks, have implemented rugby tackling as a method of bringing opposing players to the turf. “Rugby is not about collisions like American football is,” said Tim Taillon, the head of the Raleigh Rugby Football Club. “If you’ve got a big kid coming at you we teach you how to tackle them, using your momentum to get in their spokes if you will, and tackle them safely. Rugby is about the art of tackling as opposed to just collisions.” The Raleigh Rugby Football Club falls under the umbrella of the

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Triangle Area Youth Rugby Association, which consists of teams from Cary, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Fayetteville, North Raleigh and Raleigh. Durham is also considering a team. Rugby is regarded as the fastest growing sport in the United States, and was re-introduced in the 2016 Olympics. “For one thing, Rugby is a sport for everyone – you can be big, small, fat, skinny, slow, fast – and there is a place for you in rugby,” Taillon said. “And there is not a huge cost barrier like there is with a lot of other sports. You need a mouth guard and some cleats and you are ready to go.” Taillon tried rugby while he was in the Marine Corps stationed at Cherry Point. “I was playing football at the time and I had just gotten the crap beat out of me playing quarterback,” he said. “I was on the way home and I saw balls flying up in the air … so I went out and gave it a shot, and I’ve been hooked ever since. “It’s not very often that we see a kid come out to practice who doesn’t return,” Taillon added. “It’s so different than football. In rugby you’re playing both offense and defense full time, so you’re not coming on and off the field. The game continues to flow. It really builds relationships. Rugby is a lifelong sport.” Parents are even starting to enroll kids as young as four years old in “touch leagues” that don’t have any contact. There are also youth co-ed teams so both boys and girls can play. “We try to make it fun so the kids don’t even realize they are out there running three to five miles in a session, because we do try to have drills and games,” said Matt McCullough of Cary Rugby. The Cary Rugby Club is one of the newest, but fastest growing, teams in the area, McCullough began the program three years ago with a bunch of kids from his son’s swim team. “In rugby everybody has an opportunity to run the ball, everybody has an opportunity to touch the ball, pass the ball or score,” McCullough said. “There are big kids I grew up with who played American football who never had an opportunity to touch the football all the way up through the college ranks. In rugby, it’s a matter of your heart, your endurance and your will. That appeals to the kids.”

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beer& barrel

left: John Sheppard (right) with students Brian Farkas and Blake Layfield in Sheppard’s laboratory brewery. Right: Glasses containing three different types of malted barley and taps dispensing two of Sheppard’s NC State-themed beers. photos courtesy of nc state university.

So You Want to be a Brewer?

Craft Beer Brewing courses in the triangle By julie johnson

The revolution in American brewing was launched in the 1980s by amateurs: beer lovers who were tired of light mainstream lagers, or travelers who hoped to recreate at home the variety of beer styles they’d encountered abroad. They taught themselves to brew with the help of books, and shared their knowledge at homebrew clubs. When the first of them turned pro, it was more likely an English major, a journalist or an aerospace engineer opening a microbrewery than someone with a formal education in brewing chemistry. The age of the hobbyist may be waning. Given the ubiquity of craft beer, consumers have become much more discerning: novelty alone no longer sells 44 | midtownmag.com

beer, and quality matters. With over 150 breweries operating in North Carolina, there are employment opportunities for trained brewers. Now, there are also local institutions that offer that training. The Craft Beer Brewing course at Wake Tech gives aspiring brewers a way to test their interest. The three-part certificate program combines classroom instruction with internships at local breweries. “We run through the continuing education side of the college, because we want students to get the training as quickly as possible, and get out and into a job,” says program director Benjamin Wagoner. “We focus on providing the core training they need, and also developing partnerships with employers on the back end.”

Part 1 of the program, Wagoner admits, “takes some of the romance off” as students learn that brewing is physically demanding work. “You have to really like cleaning!” The introductory class is taught by Thomas Vincent, brewmaster at Compass Rose Brewery in North Raleigh. “We have a full spectrum of students – people who have homebrewed for years, others who don’t really understand anything about brewing,” he says. Brewmaster Brad Wynn teaches Parts 2 and 3 at Big Boss Brewing, a larger Raleigh brewery where students gain experience with a range of equipment. All the requirements can be fulfilled in about a year. Upon completion of the

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certificate, graduates are equipped for entry-level positions – roles that can vary widely depending on the size of the brewery, from support work all the way to assistant brewer. “I think they’re well positioned to start working in breweries in the area, with a little more knowledge than someone trying to enter the field out of the blue. They have more understanding of the brewing process, the safety implications, the equipment we work with. It’s well-rounded: people get exposure to all elements of the career. As part of the internship, they definitely get hands-on experience, and get an understanding of the day-to-day.” For the more academically-inclined, John Sheppard at NC State University accepts masters and PhD-level students interested in brewing-related research. He joined the Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences Department a decade ago, equipping his lab with his own small brewery. midtownmag.com | 45

Students in Wake Tech’s Craft Beer Brewing program hone their practical skills at Raleigh’s Big Boss brewery. photos by matt williams photography.

When it comes to career tracks, “there are really two distinct beer industries,” he explains. “There’s the large-scale commercial breweries and the craft industry. If you’re interested in going into the big breweries, which is very well-paying, you need a university degree in science, ideally with a little business training.” The craft industry is different, he says, and employees haven’t needed rigorous scientific training to get started, relying instead on learning by experience. “I think there are limits to that, though. At some point, you need to have some formal education, whether through someplace like Wake Tech, or Siebel Institute [in Chicago] or UC Davis [California]. Some recognized program is necessary if you’re really going to succeed.” For economic reasons, as well as their focus on research, Sheppard’s students are unlikely to end up in the craft world after graduation. “The craft brewing industry typically cannot attract people with graduate degrees in science. Most of the breweries don’t have laboratory facilities, and they honestly can’t pay an attractive enough salary for someone with an advanced degree.” Sheppard himself, however, makes his own contribution to Triangle craft beer culture. He has a contract with NC State’s catering service to supply beer from his laboratory brewery for campus events. The ten different beers he brews – including Brickyard Red, Wolfpack Pilsner and Pullen Porter – are very much in the craft tradition the students at Wake Tech are learning to master. 46 | midtownmag.com

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close tohome

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Lassiter Mill Park Hear the water pound. Breathe in the clean air. Stop and spend a moment in this slice of outdoor heaven. By carla turchetti | photos By Gary Moe

Tucked away in a tiny corner of Midtown, near Aldert Root Elementary School, where Lassiter Mill Road meets Lassiter Falls Circle, is the historic Lassiter Mill Park. It’s a city of Raleigh park that has become part of the greenway system and celebrates a chapter of Wake County history. The centerpiece of the park is a dramatic waterfall that is unexpected in the middle of an Inside the Beltline neighborhood. It’s a dam that was once known as the “Great Falls of Crabtree”, and it’s where the Crabtree Creek spills next to what was once the old Lassiter Mill. The Lassiter Mill was in operation as early as the 1700s, when John Giles Thomas owned it. Raleigh’s Isaac Hunter of tavern fame was also an owner. Several versions of mills on the property were destroyed by fire along the way. In 1908, Cornelius Jesse Lassiter bought this property and built a grist mill for wheat and corn. He eventually expanded into running a lumber mill and a cotton gin, and like so many other grist mills at the time, the mill became a watering hole full of summer fun that included swimming, diving and picnicking. Lassiter Mill was just one of the mills that could be found across Wake County. Think of other roads you know like Edwards Mill, Yates Mill and Ligon Mill. midtownmag.com | 49

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All have their roots beside working grist mills. The old grist mills were located near a natural body of water that was propelled into a waterwheel to provide power to rotate the giant millstones that crushed the grains. That was the case with the Lassiter Mill and Crabtree Creek. A 1959 fire destroyed the Lassiter Mill, but the family held onto the property for decades. Homes now dot the perimeter of the old mill site, but it is still a place for water fun. Fishermen cast their lines here. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a spot to lower a canoe into the water. There are picnic tables to enjoy a lunch or a snack. But you are also just as likely to find photo shoots happening at this pristine nature point. Engaged couples wrapping their arms around each other and smiling. High school seniors praying for a good hair day even in the mist of the falls spraying water all around them. And small children gazing up at their parents and the majesty of the falls with wonder in their eyes and the urge to leap from the rocks. Old Lassiter Mill Park is steps away from a vibrant Midtown community, but a world away in terms of its relaxing feel. Hear the water pound. Breathe in the clean air. Stop and spend a moment in this slice of outdoor heaven. And remember just for a moment what it was like in this neighborhood back when grist mills were king.

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financial focus

sp o n s o r e d c o n t e n t

5 Questions to Consider Before Downsizing Your Home By Richardson Private Wealth Advisors, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

As retirement approaches, your lifestyle and priorities begin to change. Chances are the days when you wanted more space – the sizeable dream home with the backyard big enough to entertain a growing family – are long gone. Instead, many retirees are looking for convenience, simplicity and accommodations more suited to their needs as “empty nesters.” As you approach this new life stage, take time to assess how your current living arrangements suit your changing lifestyle. Here are five questions to consider as you decide whether downsizing is right for you: 52 | midtownmag.com

1. Does your home still have the right feel? A big house that was perfect for a family may seem overly spacious with just one or two inhabitants. It may be time to consider a change if you find that there are under-used rooms in your home or if you’re ready for a new environment. However, if you are enjoying the freedom more space brings, then your current house may be just the right fit. That might also be the case if your home is a gathering place for extended family and friends. 2. Is the upkeep sustainable? In general, a larger house requires more work and regular investment. As you move into retirement, you may want to reduce the stress of cleaning and home projects. If working around the house and yard is something you enjoy, it may make sense to stay put. But, a smaller home will likely be less of a burden, especially if it’s move-in ready.

3. Are you ready to de-clutter? Moving to a smaller space is a reality check for many people. All of the things you’ve been accumulating and storing for years probably won’t fit in a smaller home if you decide to downsize. That means you need to spend time going through your personal belongings to determine what’s of real value and what can go. This can take time, so it’s a good idea to get started well before it is time to move. 4. Are there cost savings? In many situations, a larger house can be sold for a price that is higher than the cost of a smaller home. This could result in a smaller (or no) mortgage and potentially some extra money in the bank. But it is not always so simple. There are costs associated with buying, selling and moving into a new place that could impact your retirement savings if you’re not careful. Evaluate how downsizing would affect your budget and review your situation with a financial professional before taking action. 5. Where are you spending your time? If your retirement dreams include traveling, visiting family or owning a vacation property, you may be away from home more often in retirement than you were in your working years. Having a smaller home that is easier to maintain could make sense in these situations. Alternatively, you may be looking forward to staying put and finally having time to enjoy the home you worked so hard to maintain over the years. Downsizing doesn’t need to be rushed. Consider your priorities and if you decide to downsize, give yourself plenty of time to do it right.

James M. Richardson CFP®, ChFC®, APMA®, is a Private Wealth Advisor and Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner with Richardson Private Wealth Advisors, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. He offers fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 27 years. To contact him, www.RichardsonPrivateWealthAdvisors.com, 919-874-0024, 3720 Benson Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment adviser. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC © 2016 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

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giving back

Crowds gather for the LGBT Center's Out! Raleigh festival in Downtown Raleigh

Building a Rainbow of Communities The LGBT Center of Raleigh By andy bradshaw | PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of the lgbt center of raleigh

Walking down South Harrington Street in Downtown Raleigh’s Warehouse District, a pink brick building whose entrance is flanked by rainbow flag-adorned windows naturally catches the eye. Home to the LGBT Center of Raleigh, the organization serves as a resource center for the area’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. One of three all-purpose LGBT Centers in the state, it fulfills many roles for its visitors. It is a library and performance space, a classroom and a coffee shop, a discussion forum and a health center – through each of these different functions there’s a common thread of support and advocacy for the diverse friends, families, and members of the Triangle’s LGBT community. “We try to help everyone under the sun – everyone from age four to 90,” says James Miller, Executive Director of the Center. “Anyone who shows up, we won’t turn away. We are a community center first. It’s important that our center takes care of all kinds of people – because people are people.” Now in its ninth year, the organization hosts social events, run programs, and provides valuable resources to the 54 | midtownmag.com

community. Through its expansion in scope and size, the Center reaches a widening array of communities, allowing it to make valuable connections within the LGBT community and beyond. A PLACE TO CALL HOME More than four walls and a roof, for much of the Triangle’s LGBT community it is a haven of tolerance and engagement. Those lacking a safe, welcoming environment at home, work, or any other areas of their life can find one at the Center. Additionally, it provides an educational oasis of information on LGBT life through its library. “I would consider the library to be the crown jewel of the Center,” says Miller. Featuring nearly 3,000 volumes of novels, countless DVDs and CDs, non-fiction works, and self-help books all focusing on a celebration of the LGBT community, the library provides a unified space to share the stories, research and constructive advice that many LGBT folks may struggle to find elsewhere. Keeping in line with the Center’s dedication to inclusion,

the library also includes works that detail advice for friends and family of LGBT people. “Fear of the unknown is what most often drives people away from the community,” says Miller. “So we want to help ease that fear and engage them in topics that will help them better understand our community.” By providing information and support to friends and family of LGBT folk, Miller says he hopes to see them transform from passive supporters into active allies for the community. The library is open to residents of Wake, Durham, and Orange counties for a $5 membership fee; youth under 18 can check out books for free. The library has the same business hours as the Center: noon-8pm Monday-Friday and noon-6pm Saturday-Sunday.

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BUILDING DIALOGUE, BUILDING COMMUNITIES The Center provides multiple programs and forums spanning all age groups and encompassing many different facets of LGBT life. Studies confirm that the most confusing and vulnerable times fo an LGBT person are during youth and old age. Younger LGBT people often feel frightened and confused about their identity, while elders often face a sense of isolation, each group typically seeking answers, kinship, and above all – support. That’s where the Center comes in. Through its SAGE Raleigh Program (Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders), they plan weekly get-togethers, outings, educational lunch-andlearns, and more. “Senior LGBT people tend to be isolated; sometimes, their younger counterparts don’t pay as much attention to them,” says Les Geller, former Vice Chair of the Center. Providing a space for LGBT seniors to socialize with their peers, the group also advocates for services, education and initiatives to protect the “Gay & Gray” set. Discussions are currently underway to develop a Senior Housing Initiative locally. Such a community would be the first of its kind in the area, offering a safe, welcoming environment for LGBT seniors to live out their life. On the flipside, the Center also works to create programs to help LGBT youth to enhance the adolescent experience with a combination of social and leadership programs, connecting young members of the midtownmag.com | 55

Assistant Director Kelly Taylor and Executive Director James Miller at the 2015 Awards Gala

Triangle’s LGBT community and empowering them to take on larger roles within their own communities. “It’s really amazing to watch these kids develop into young leaders,” says Miller. “We get to see them become strong assets not just for the LGBT community, but for their own local communities as well.”

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REACHING OUT TO THE TRIANGLE “A rising harbor raises all ships. If we can work to make positive changes in the communities around us, the world gets better,” says Miller. With their eye always fixed on assisting the most vulnerable in our community, the Center’s endeavors do not simply begin and end with the queer community. Partnering with Haven House, InterAct, and the Raleigh/ Wake Partnership to End Homelessness, the Center helps bring in much-needed supplies on others’ behalf. “We put together an Amazon Wish List for them, and I was shocked to see how quickly people were buying tents, sleeping bags, blankets – all to help total strangers. It was really awesome to see,” says Miller. The Center has also teamed up with ReachOUT NC to connect the LGBT community and its allies with volunteer opportunities. With a wide range of opportunities – from building houses for needy families to preparing meals for families with sick children – the aim is always consistent in promoting goodwill and uniting communities. In many ways, that’s what the Center is all about: welcoming folks of all ages, communities, backgrounds and orientations to create a more colorful, kind City of Oaks. The work is often tough, rarely glamorous, and never fully done. But the upside to it is priceless, says Miller. “Just helping to initiate a dialogue or break down a barrier – it’s really incredible to see the development.” YOU CAN HELP The LGBT Center could always use some more “people energy”, says Miller. Opportunities for volunteering include: • • • • •

Greeting visitors Answering calls Assisting in the library Responding to inquires Assisting during special events

For financial donations, please visit the Center’s website lgbtcenterofraleigh.com. Every dollar donated helps the Center improve its visibility and expand its aid to our most vulnerable communities in the Triangle and beyond.

A R

G N P t R P D W p p l

A Season of Masters 2017/18 CLASSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

OPENING NIGHT

An Evening of Rachmaninoff

MEYMANDI CONCERT HALL, RALEIGH

FRI/SAT, SEP 22-23, 2017 | 8PM

Grant Llewellyn, conductor Natasha Paremski, piano Pianist Natasha Paremski returns to perform Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, conducted by Music Director Grant Llewellyn. Opening Weekend also includes NCS’s first performance of the symphonic poem The Rock, as well as the lush, lively Symphonic Dances.

Natasha Paremski

Fountains & Pines FRI/SAT, MAR 23-24, 2018 | 8PM

Ben Gernon, conductor Brian Reagin, violin

North Carolina Master Chorale

Mozart Requiem FRI/SAT, NOV 17-18, 2017 | 8PM

Douglas Boyd, conductor Mireille Asselin, soprano Sofia Selowsky, mezzo-soprano Thomas Cooley, tenor Philip Cutlip, baritone North Carolina Master Chorale

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 3 “Pastoral” Mozart: Requiem

Pictures at an Exhibition

FRI/SAT, JAN 12-13, 2018 | 8PM

Rune Bergmann, conductor

Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

Nico Muhly: Mixed Messages Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 Respighi: Fountains of Rome Respighi: Pines of Rome

Respighi’s symphonic poems capture the Italian city at various times of day. Brian Reagin, NCS Concertmaster, plays Bruch’s lyrical and fiery Violin Concerto No. 1.

SEASON FINALE

Romeo & Juliet

FRI/SAT, MAY 18-19, 2018 | 8PM

Grant Llewellyn, conductor Carl Forsman, director UNC School of the Arts Grant Llewellyn and the North Carolina Symphony are joined by actors from the UNC School of the Arts for a semi-staged production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Students from UNC School of the Arts

2017/18 SUBSCRIPTIONS ON SALE NOW! ncsymphony.org | 919.733.2750

the interview

13 Questions With:

Bill Hussey state director of Exceptional Children Services By Kurt Dusterberg photography By davies photography

Bill Hussey is in the business of believing in children. He is the state director of Exceptional Children Services at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The job title is a long one, but the mission is easy to explain: he and his staff help guide North Carolina’s programs for students with disabilities. Hussey worked in similar roles with Durham Public Schools and the AlamanceBurlington School System before taking his current position four years ago. “This is a fun job,” says Hussey, who is 64 years old. “I’m having a good time here. I’ve got a smart division. They’re interested in doing some new things to work through some of our old problems.”

“

There’s not a kid out there that can’t be helped.

“

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Midtown Magazine: How did you come about your interest in working with exceptional children? Bill Hussey: It started back in college. I was a Big Brother for a child who had a disability and I got engaged with that program. My undergraduate degree was in biology, but it put me in touch with some people in the special education department at Appalachian State, where I was going to school. My father was a doctor, my mother was a nurse. Just from the beginning, we did a lot of things in our family that had to do with helping other people. That had a real influence on me. That gave me a base to work from. MM: There was a time when special needs children did not always have their needs met. Where do things stand today

with making sure they get the specific attention they deserve? BH: Prior to 1975, there wasn’t really a focused view on how to work with children in schools. Many children were at home for the most part or in the community in some type of center. From that time forward, we started bringing kids into schools, and the laws have evolved to the point in North Carolina where there are over 200,000 [exceptional children] from threeyear-olds up to age 22. They go from learning disabled kids who are able to be primarily in classrooms, to children who are very involved medically as well as cognitively. The system covers all the children across that spectrum. MM: Can you describe the scope of the program across Wake County? BH: The special ed population across Wake County is approximately 20,000plus kids. Our statement here is, all special ed children are regular education children first. We try to push that as a way of thinking about these children, because they should get everything everybody else gets. Special ed is supplemental support to access the curriculum and content.

midtownmag.com | 59

MM: For people who don’t have exposure to these programs, what are some of the issues affecting these children? BH: These kids are regular education kids first. They go to the regular schools for the most part. Well over 80 percent are sitting in the seat next to a child that is not special education or exceptional. They are just kids who happen to have a learning disability or emotional disability. They could have had a brain injury or be sick in some way. They’re just kids. They have a particular learning or socialemotional issue that creates a need for supplemental help and support. That’s what we provide. MM: These children do overcome educational obstacles. Can you shed some light on that? BH: The majority of these kids are cognitively fine. A good number of them do go on to college. It’s more difficult, but they move through. And they can be just as successful. They just sort of disappear into the crowd like anyone else; it just takes them a little bit longer. We have a lot of children who come through and are successful, and they no longer need supplemental support. MM: How important is it to have a level of interaction from their peer group in the general education population? BH: Socialization is huge, that they’re not removed from their peers. They need the contextual things that are necessary for a normal kid to grow up – all the interaction and what happens in a social environment. The other part of [being in a general education setting] is that they get the content taught to them by content teachers. Special education teachers are not content teachers. We help support supplemental strategies designed to support the content. MM: I know that Project Unify involves students from the regular education group who work specifically with special needs students. What role does that play in helping your mission?

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BH: In Project Unify, we’re talking about students who are potentially more cognitively impaired. It’s crucial for them to get a sense of normalcy, not to be isolated, not to be excluded from extracurricular activities. They need to feel like a regular high school kid or middle school kid. That growth and maturity – in both the social-emotional context as well as the academic-educational context – is tremendous. When those programs get going, the service part that happens for the children who are not the special education kids is fairly phenomenal. The sense of doing something with an outcome as positive as that is dramatic. It plays out on both sides of the coin. MM: You have the kind of job where you might be profoundly affected by how different people’s needs can be. That’s got to leave a mark on you as a person. BH: I started off working with children with severe emotional difficulties until I became a director. It is incredible the individual differences and the ability [we have] to make change. I’ve worked with children as young as six who had to be removed from their families. It’s significant, the change that can be made and the trust that can be developed. It does have a profound effect. There are a lot of people who, especially when you have kids with social-emotional and behavioral issues, feel like kids can be lost causes. Over my lifetime, I’ve seen the ones who were considered to be the worst cases. An amazing number of those children were able to do something positive and had less severe outcomes as a result: they didn’t go to jail, they didn’t end up in a hospital. They were able to function. That’s the thing that pushes me most. There’s not a kid out there that can’t be helped. MM: Tell me a bit about your life and family. BH: I grew up in eastern North Carolina in a little town called Tarboro. I’ve traveled a lot, but I’ve stayed in North Carolina. I met my wife when I was in school at Appalachian. We moved to Durham about 35 years ago and we’ve lived there the whole time. My wife Trish is the director of Freedom House Recovery Center, a mental health facility. Our daughter Cali is 38 and Ben is 32. MM: What do you like to do for fun? BH: I laughingly say I turn to the east when I need my rest and meditation. We go to Ocracoke Island. We were married on Ocracoke. We go there at least twice every year. We truly enjoy just hanging out there, clamming and fishing. We have two grandchildren now, one who is five and one who is about six months. We enjoy the grandparent duties. Otherwise, we have really close friends we enjoy hanging out with and we travel when we can.

Have a suggestion for next issue’s The Interview? Send it to us: info@midtownmag.com. midtownmag.com | 61

raising thebar

Separation and Divorce ANSWERS TO YOUR LEGAL QUESTIONS

How can I get my spouse to move out of our house if she won’t leave?

This is one of the most common questions our attorneys get, and the short answer is that you typically cannot force your spouse to move out of the house unless (1) you are the victim of domestic violence and are granted possession of your house in a domestic violence protective order; or (2) you are granted a “divorce from bed and board,” which is not a divorce but a separation ordered by a judge based on fault grounds (such as adultery) in which the judge grants the innocent party possession of the house. It can be time consuming and expensive to get a divorce from bed and board, so for most families, one spouse leaving the home voluntarily is the best way to effectuate a separation. If you are the spouse who decides to leave, you should consult with a family law attorney first.

Do I have to file something with the court to be “legally separated” from my husband? Do I have to have a “separation agreement”?

Have a question? Let us hear it: info@midtownmag.com

MeettheCounsel

Katie Hardersen King

Melanie C. Phillips

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No formal document is required to be filed to become separated in North Carolina. You are separated from your spouse when two things happen – (1) you begin living separate and apart from your spouse (and, no, separate bedrooms are not good enough); and (2) you or your spouse intend that your separation be permanent. A “separation agreement,” on the other hand, is a legal contract between spouses that typically resolves issues like property division, custody and support after the parties separate, or is negotiated as the parties are contemplating separation. You are not required to have one to be separated. It is, however, a common way for spouses to resolve divorcerelated issues outside of court.

Can I file for divorce as soon as my wife and I are separated? No. North Carolina law requires a separation of at least one year (most lawyers will say “a year and a day”) to file for divorce. Remember, in North Carolina, a divorce is just a divorce – it does not resolve issues like property division, custody, or child support. It’s up to the spouses to enter into a separation agreement to resolve those issues or to file a lawsuit to ask the court to make those decisions. Keep in mind, also, that any claims for property division or alimony (not children’s issues like custody or child support) are lost if they are not resolved by separation agreement or court order prior to a divorce being finalized, or if there is not a pending lawsuit to resolve those claims filed at the time the divorce is granted. You should always consult with a family law attorney prior to filing for divorce.

midtownmag.com | 63

sunday supper

Irregardless Cafe forty-three years and counting story and photos By paul savery

The owner/founder of Irregardless Cafe, chef Arthur Gordon, has been working 16 hours a day for the past 43 years and does not appear to be slowing down, and even maintains an impish sense of humor. When complimented on the Basque beret he was wearing, he takes it off to show the Yarmulke underneath. During our conversation Gordon reveals how much he is guided by his Jewish faith, feeling “we are vehicles to be blessed but also to bless others.” Gordon adds, he considers the most important piece of advice for anyone, including an aspiring chef, is to always remain humble. After graduation from UNC in 1972, and being accepted by The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), he opted to work in a professional kitchen for a year before attending. Then another decision delayed 64 | midtownmag.com

culinary school again, as “I decided to open a restaurant for a year or two, to gain the experience, go to the CIA, and then open a real restaurant. I haven’t made it to the CIA, but after 43 years I possess all the experience I will ever need.” Although he grew up in Durham and went to college in Chapel Hill, he decided to head down the road and open his new restaurant at 901 W. Morgan Street in downtown Raleigh in 1975. Gordon has built up an impressively loyal customer following over the years, and the café continues to stay relevant and current with its menu and offerings. Although Irregardless started out as a vegetarian restaurant, he recalls, “About every seven years we added another protein – first fish and other seafood, then poultry, and then beef.

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2017

We now think of ourselves as a “plant based” menu; the vegetarian/vegan patron has choices beyond leaving the meat out of the pasta, but rather dishes that were designed to be a full meal without compromise. The protein patron has many choices as well. So we like to think that we are the one place where the “lion and the lamb” can eat together, without worry that we might eat each other.” Over the years, the most popular item on the Irregardless menu continues to be the Lemon Tahini salad dressing, while the most popular dish is the Morgan Street Chicken. The perennial favorite is a pounded chicken breast, marinated in lemon tahini dressing and coated with crushed cashews and panko crumbs, and then grilled. The longest-running dish is the Paella, served with baked chicken wings, sautéed shrimp, mussels and bay scallops. Gordon is also very enthusiastic about his Salt & Vinegar Fries and elaborates: fresh-cut potatoes are marinated in sauerkraut juice and brine for a “vinegar and salt” flavor, and then double fried. His other directive is to not underestimate the importance of a an excellent dessert to finish the meal, such as his Chocolate Hazelnut Layer Cake. For the last couple of years Gordon has been developing The Glenwood, an event venue for special occasions with a ceremonial garden and a full-scale kitchen, serving food catered by Irregardless, located at 3300 Woman’s Club Drive. Back in 2012 he also opened the ‘Well Fed Community Garden’ on an acre and a half on Athens Drive, with a manager living on site. The garden produces seasonal vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers, growing organic produce for the Irregardless Cafe and Catering, and donates 20% of its bounty to volunteers and neighbors. He plans on installing a wood-fired oven so he can serve pizza on site. At home, Gordon doesn’t use cookbooks. The dish he most likes to cook at home is pizza with homemade dough, and he only finds time about once a week to cook. As Gordon is an observant Jew, his “Sunday Suppers” are on the Sabbath (Friday night) when he invites guests over “for a festive meal.” The recipe he has selected is a Frittata, which he asserts works well for brunch or supper, and suggests “this recipe incorporates any ingredients in the refrigerator not consumed earlier in the week. Nothing is wasted [at the restaurant], so this recipe allows anyone to use anything that has not been served yet. Personally I love carbohydrates, so any of the following would work well – rice, pasta, potatoes, beans, even grains such as cracked wheat. Add vegetables that are already prepped, i.e. onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes, chopped parsley or any fresh herbs. Always add cheese if available – Swiss, cheddar, feta, Brie, etc. And if you have any proteins, they are also welcomed – smoked salmon, bacon, diced chicken, etc.

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IRREGARDLESS

FRITTATA

*Serves 6-10 people depending on size of cast iron

Ingredients

directions

Carbohydrate (like pasta, potatoes, rice or other grains) Proteins (smoked salmon, bacon or diced chicken) Cheese (Swiss, cheddar, feta or Brie) Eggs (one and a half eggs per person) Tomatoes Vegetables (onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach) Garlic (optional) Herbs (chopped parsley or any other fresh herbs) Paprika Jelly, marmalade or honey (optional)

1. Take an 8-10 inch cast iron skillet and start by sautéing onions; carefully add garlic (optional), making sure to not let the garlic burn.

iron is hot, pour egg filling/mixture back in pan and let the bottom and edge set. Sprinkle a little paprika on top and put the skillet in a preheated 300 degree oven.

2. Add tomatoes and any previously cooked vegetables, and slowly warm.

6. Bake frittata slowly at 225º-250º F for at least 30 minutes or until the filling is firm.

3. Add carbs, herbs, cheeses and proteins and warm together.

7. Take out of oven and let rest 5 minutes. Use a spatula to make sure it has released from the sides and bottom.

Gordon likes to improvise while cooking and frequently uses ingredients at hand for this dish, so the list of ingredients and the amount are not listed.

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4. Place cooked ingredients from pan in separate bowl. Whisk eggs separately in another bowl, then add warm mixture back to eggs. 5. Wipe the cast iron pan clean, place back on the stove top and preheat. When cast

8. Optional: Flip contents onto a large lid, melt jelly, marmalade or honey into warm cast iron then flip frittata back into pan and let caramelize before service. 9. Flip onto a platter to serve.

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foodie focus

Loosen Your Belts Raleigh Triangle restaurant news by sean lennard, Triangle food guy, trianglefoodblog.com

The guys over at Trophy Brewing Company opened Trophy Tap and Table on South Wilmington Street in downtown Raleigh in the former Busy Bee location. Featuring both Trophy Brewing and guest brewers, they have a menu centered on rotisserie chicken – just like a backyard cookout with someone else pouring your beer and you don’t have to cook. Soca will likely open early March in the former Faire spot in Raleigh’s Cameron Village. Brought to us by Sean Degnan and Tony Hopkins, the owners of the popular eatery Buku, Soca will shift its eye to South and Central America, the menu bouncing between Colombia and Mexico, Trinidad and Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Chile. 68 | midtownmag.com

Brewery Bhavana has posted “early March” as the anticipated opening of their new spot – a brewery, taproom, dim sum restaurant and flower shop – located at 218 South Blount Street off Raleigh’s Moore Square in the former Tir na Nog space. Raleigh’s hottest new addition, Vidrio, brought to us by the folks at LM Restaurants, opened in January at 500 Glenwood Avenue (first two floors of the Carolina Ale House building). The Mediterranean-style dining experience offers a blend of Greek, Turkish, Lebanese, Moroccan, Spanish, and other coastal influences. The drinks menu has amazingly delicious cocktails, more than 50 wines on tap, and another 300 by the bottle. Sushi Nine (that burned nearly to the ground in January, 2016) held a groundbreaking ceremony

this week announcing the rebuilding of the popular eatery in its former location at 3812 Western Boulevard. No exact timeline was released. Brunch options are expanding in Raleigh, with Standard Foods starting to serve weekend brunch service in January and Poole’s will begin later this spring, featuring many of the dishes from (now closed) Joule. Popular North Raleigh brunch spot Brigs Restaurant in Brennan Station on Creedmoor Road has reopened its doors after closing due to fire damage. The Raleigh location of Tobacco Road Sports Cafe and Brewery has reopened after a renovation and move into their new space around the corner at 505 W. Jones Street – the former Natty Greene’s location. It is a space that is absolutely stunning – from the “bar

area” that has the feel of the other locations (in Chapel Hill and Durham), an amazing game room and a brewery. They also now have space for private events. Their former spot at 222 Glenwood Avenue will soon be home to La Santa Mexican Restaurant – look for an opening soon. The new AC Hotel is slated to open at Raleigh’s North Hills in mid-March, featuring a 5,100-square-foot rooftop lounge, bar and restaurant called Level7 – which, of course, is on the seventh floor of the 135-room hotel. Sir Walter Coffee, a new coffee shop, is going into the ground floor of The Edison at 145 E. Davie Street. The coffee barista bar/tea house/ bottle shop is aiming for an early March opening.

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Renowned barbecue pitmaster Ed Mitchell officially launched his food truck – Ed Mitchell’s Q on Wheels – in late January, and also has plans to open a brick-and-mortar location in Brier Creek. The trend of food trucks transitioning into brick-andmortar locations continues with the ladies behind Pho Nomenal Dumpling truck (which won season six of the Food Network’s The Great Food Truck Race) announcing they will bring their concept to City Market in downtown Raleigh later this spring with a restaurant named MOFU Shoppe.

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Sean Lennard runs his own online corporate catering business, Triangle Food Guy, serving the entire Triangle for any size event. Tapping into local restaurant partners, he is your onestop order for any type of food or foods you want. Read and subscribe at TriangleFoodBlog.com for full weekly reports with links.

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un corked

Delicious Italian Whites You Probably Never Heard Of Exploring the wonderful world of Italy’s White Wine Regions! By MICHAEL GALLO, CSW store Manager, TOTAL WINE & MORE

Let’s face it, when it comes to Italian wines we all have our go-to’s. For red wine, Chianti and Chianti Classico come to mind almost immediately. For whites, Pinot Grigio is easily the best known and most enjoyed Italian white wine in America. However, while Pinot Grigio is crisp, aromatic and refreshing, there is more to Italian white wine than this widely popular varietal. For instance, let’s take a look at a beautiful white wine known as Orvieto. Orvieto is a delicious, light-bodied wine from the Umbria region in central Italy, bordered by Tuscany to the west and the Marches region to the east. The Umbrian landscape is similar to

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Tuscany’s, producing similar styles of wine, but the region can be drier and hotter in comparison. Orvieto is made from the region’s indigenous grapes, Grechetto and Trebbiano. When served well-chilled, Orvieto makes for a wonderful aperitif or the perfect pairing for meals on the lighter side. Another Italian white wine to explore and one of my personal favorites, is Gavi. From the Piedmont region in northwest Italy, in the hillsides north of Genoa, the Gavi region produces amazing dry white wines from the Cortese grape. Wines produced within the town of Gavi itself are labeled Gavi de Gavi. Look for this crisp, lightbodied and minerally white wine the

next time you are in the Italian aisle. Finally, from Campania in southern Italy, there is the beautiful white wine made from the native grape Falanghina. Campania’s long, warm growing season and volcanic soils produce aromatic minerally white wines, and Falanghina is no exception. An amazing seafood pairing wine, Falanghina has inviting aromatics, a medium body with a luxurious mouthfeel, and floral notes on the palate. One of my favorite food pairings is Spaghetti Alle Vongole with a glass or two of nicely chilled Falanghina. So the next time you are shopping for a new white wine to try, give these alternative white wines from Italy an opportunity to delight your palate!

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style line Here is a line up of what’s in stores now that is of the moment, highly covetable, and most importantly easy to wear. Find it all and more in your zip code.

by Helen Banzet Wallace Sanction of Style www.sanctionofstyle.com (profile photo by Petite Simon Photography)

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog Day and predicts six more weeks of winter. While the temperatures in our area cannot seem to settle high or low, one thing’s for sure: local fashion retailer racks are beginning to burst with bright, fresh colors and prints, beautiful fabrics and unique silhouettes. All totally capable of pulling anyone out of the doldrums of winter. It’s still early in the season, but as I have learned, and often the hard way, if you don’t get while the getting’s good you often miss the best selection. In the non-stop revolving door of fashion we watch trends come and go. Some carry over from season to season and become more classics than so-called “trends”. Current trends translating from runways to local racks this season include sunny yellows, mustards and metallics, neon, florals, stripes, stripes and more stripes, and deconstructed and asymmetrical details. Sweet, easy-to-wear, day dresses (wear with a cool sneaker or interesting sandal).

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denim dress // madewell st. barth dalia hat // gena chandler earrings + rings // vermillion sandals // main & taylor

Embroidery, lace and lace overlay detailing, embroidered denim, and classic denim with style twists including raw hems and open seams. Sneakers, chunky walkable heels and feminine classic flats with of interest details. Details matter this season. If you love vintage and appreciate second-hand, Raleigh has some of the best shops to discover some of the greatest finds. I encourage you to make a trip to Dress, House of Landor, Raleigh Vintage and Revolver. These picks were chosen to take you from weekday to weekend, on/ off duty and, of course, on any social commitments on your calendar.

top + jeans // vermillion Tote bag // uniquities valentino suede slide // saks fifth avenue sandals // main & taylor

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floral dresses // fleur shirt // madewell bra + panties // bra patch flip flops // monkee’s tote // saks fifth avenue pants // j.crew

One final note for this March/April issue, and it cannot be emphasized enough. If you’re not comfortable and true to yourself in what you choose to put on your body every day, it has the potential of translating incorrectly. At the end of the day it doesn’t have so much to do with trends but more importantly dressing for your lifestyle, your body type, and your budget. It’s about feeling comfortable (both literally and figuratively) and confident inside. If you feel really great, chances are you’re going to come across to the world like the babe that you are. Oh, and don’t forget to smile. Fashion is a serious business. Personal style should be fun.

Have a question? Need help with something specific? Send your email to helen@sanctionofstyle.com.

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home styler

MUDROOM “I believe in doing the thing you feel is right. If it looks right, it is right.” –Dorothy Draper

Do what feels right!

by sarah sheridan Sheridan Creative simple-subtraction.com

TUNE

tuneraleigh.com

Spring is upon us, the season that gives us a renewed beginning, sweetly suggesting it is time to blossom. The feeling of being brandnew, looking around with clear eyes, a sweet time for reinvention. Our living environment has the potential to inspire, motivate. A sanctuary that provides safety and calm. This issue, we share the beauty of spring via luxurious fabrics, fresh color and the potential for change. In addition, we have a few accessories to simplify the mudroom. Organization and order are key in maximizing use of this room. As well, we plant the seed for gardening. Local landscape designer Jim Knott provides five important steps to a successful planting season. This spring, do something for you, within your living space. Stake claim, do what feels right, and most importantly, enjoy.

(1) Oval Ceramic Planter $89.99; Homewood Nursery & Garden Center 10809 Honeycutt Rd; (2) Wood Bench $294; Nadeau; Cameron Village, 426 Woodburn Rd; furniturewithasoul.com/raleigh (3) Thomasville Settee $950; hunt and gather; seaboard station, 10 W. Franklin St,

homewoodnursery.com

Suite 100; huntandgatherraleigh.com

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photo courtesy of surya

photo ÂŠ ambiente modern furniture

photo courtesy of devolve moto

(4) Colorful ceramic lanterns and planters $50-$130; Sew Fine II; 5850 Fayetteville Rd #104, Durham; sewfine2.com (5) BDI Ciano Cabinet $699 and Mirror $299; ambiente modern furniture; 3915 Beryl Rd; ambientefurniture.com (6) Assorted linens $105-$485; La Maison; 4209 Lassiter Mill Rd #132; lamaisonraleigh.com (7) Ceramic Catchall (measures 8.5" x 8.5") $49.50; Devolve Moto; 304 Glenwood Ave; devolvemoto.com midtownmag.com | 77

9 10

(8) English country items, lamps and art $200-$1,200; dt & co; 715 W. Morgan St; dtandcompany.com (9) Antique barn doors $895 each; revival antiques; 1505 Capital Blvd #14; revival-antiques.com (10) Photo on birch 40"x60" Panel by Itinerant Studio $1,210; beyond blue interiors; North Hills, 4350 Lassiter at North Hills Ave #102; beyondblueinteriors.com (11) Handmade ceramic flowers, succulents and corals $24.95-$47.50; NOFO @the Pig; 2014 Fairview Rd; nofo.com 78 | midtownmag.com

5 1

Tips For Starting Your Spring Garden By Jim Knott, Knott Landscaping, Inc knottland1@gmail.com

Time to clean up the planting beds.

(And the yard, for that matter.) Whether it’s for general gardening or recreational flower beds, there is no better time to get on top of weeding than before things go to seed. Do a final leaf, limb and debris cleanout. Also, early spring is a good time for pruning most trees, shrubs and woody ornamentals for shape/size, to encourage new growth and remove dead or damaged parts. (Be sure to hold off pruning any spring-blooming items until they finish blooming.)

Make a plan of attack.

Consider the different spaces you have to work with in the yard. The amount of sunlight is a crucial factor when making plant choices. Partial to little sun doesn’t have to limit your palette of unique choices; shade gardens are beautiful too. Are there drainage issues to rectify? What plants worked (or didn’t) last season? Is your soil in the best shape it can be? (Keep reading for some help in that department.) Start strolling the NC Farmer’s Market and garden centers for ideas. I’ve relied heavily on the knowledgable folks and huge selection of plants at Campbell Road Nursery for more than 15 years, (campbellrdnursery.com).

Soil preparation is key.

If you can take the time to have your soil tested, great! Visit ncagr.gov/agronomi/uyrst.htm for test forms and where to get sample boxes locally. If you’re not testing, it’s always a good idea to refresh planting beds with organic material and nutrients. Properly prepared compost is great to mix in. A product I’ve been having

great success with in my clients’ planting beds, is Good Dirt®. It’s offered in a soil conditioner and a potting soil form superior to the big brand names. It was created by a local Raleigh couple with 30 years experience in the landscape and horticulture industry. Mix the soil conditioner into planting beds to create porosity for improved root growth and optimal water retention. (Visit good-dirt.com for more info.)

Plant, plant, plant.

Now you’ve got things in order. The weather is staying warmer a little more consistently. If the ground’s not frozen, start planting. A lot of shrubs will benefit if they can be planted while still in dormancy. Things like winter honeysuckle, forsythia, quince, camellias and daphne odora are just a few ‘must-haves’ for spring color and/or fragrance. Gardenias and butterfly bushes such as osmanthus (fragrant tea olive) are always welcome. For color beds, my suggestion is to simply not limit yourself. Strong performers include newer hybrid impatiens called Sunpatiens, vinca, lantana, salvias, dianthus, snapdragons, angelonia, dahlia, zinnia, cosmos, petunias, etc. Perennials include echinacea (cone flowers), monarda (bee balm), baptisia, daisies, rudbeckia, salvia, coreopsis, peony, hosta, lenten rose, ferns, hibiscus, and on and on. Use one color in all the beds. Use all the colors in one bed. I’ve done both. They looked incredible. Do it for the bees (and the butterflies).

Enjoy your yard.

Mulching, watering and fertilizing.

It’s a great time of year to mulch both the newly cleaned out, newly amended/planted beds and any established beds. Preference is towards a pine bark mulch or composted leaf mulch for the nutrient benefits they both offer over hardwood mulch. Whatever you choose, mulching is the last part of the recipe for success to keep weeds at bay and regulate soil moisture and temperature. Be sure to water your new installs and fertilize with an organic product. (Raleigh based Good Dirt® offers one: good-dirt.com.)

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minding yourbusiness

House of Hops By tom lawrence | photography By joe reale

Forefather Ben Franklin knew well the qualities of beer. “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy,” he once said. In addition to traditional bars and craft beer and bottle shops on most every corner in town, an intriguing bottle shop in a busy north Glenwood neighborhood seems to epitomize the term “public house”. Located in a rather nondescript building with confusing access to the parking lot, The House of Hops at 6909 Glenwood Avenue does have good signage. Once you find it and get inside, one feels right at home and the co-owner, a friendly guy who introduces himself as Keith Bowler, happily serves up your choice of bottled beer or any selection of 24 draft beers on rotating taps. On New Year’s Day there were about twenty people at various tables, bar stools and couches enjoying the scene and watching football on the large flat panel television. Explaining the story of House of Hops, Bowler, a native of Rochester, New York, and his business partner, Raleigh native Gary Holt, had been looking for a place to open a growler shop. When they came across this space, which had been recently vacated by a small church congregation, they realized the space was enticing – too large for a growler shop but perfect for something more audacious – so they decided on a bottle shop and draft establishment. Perhaps inspired by its former tenants, the partners decided on the name House of Hops when they opened two and a half years ago, offering a huge selection of 80 | midtownmag.com

bottled craft beers, growlers and constantly changing drafts. Bowler explains, “We thought people would just buy beer and leave, but they started hanging out.” Seating also had to increase as the business grew, Holt says. They started with just a table and a couch, and have added more seating from there. Dogs are welcome Much of their customer base lives in nearby townhomes and apartments, such as customer Eric Himel, who chimes in, “For people who work at home, it’s a great place to get away.”

“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” – Ben Franklin Customer Liz Linak says the more than four hundred craft beers available is a plus for her. “We come here for the selection of beers. We feel like we can get something different every time we come in, which is our favorite thing; an easy, close by place with a great atmosphere, to come and hang out and bring my dog, which is the best part – and he loves it here!” Leashed, friendly dogs are welcome inside the business and on the patio. midtownmag.com | 81

Other details set this business apart, including the small and friendly staff of eight which includes three Bowler family members. For customer Lesley Smith, the atmosphere and staff are the appeal. “Everyone talks to everyone else. It’s got a neighborhood vibe. People who live nearby come in and chat with each other.” Children are welcome, too. There are board games, ping-pong and corn hole available. Although food is not served, food trucks visit on a rotating basis most weekdays, and you can bring your own or order from nearby delivery services.

Antique, vintage and modern.... Furnishings, lighting, art & accessories tastefully blended for your home.

A house of hops, hope and a prayer Community members use House of Hops as a hub in a variety of ways. A group of runners gather here before heading off to the greenway, and until a few weeks ago, a Bible study group met there on Monday nights. Bowler, himself an ordained minister, is considering beginning a new study group. “My faith is really strong, my wife’s faith is really strong and we really looked at this as an opportunity to minister to other people. We get opportunities every day to talk to people about what’s going on in their lives and how we might be able to help them and things like that.” Bowler continues with the theme, “We’ve had so many miraculous stories come through this place in the last couple of years. It’s been amazing.” Carrying his unorthodox lay ministry a bit further, Bowler says he’s married four couples that have visited the House of Hops and a prayer request box is mounted on the back wall. The future for House of hops Even with competition everywhere, Bowler and Holt say they are in negotiations for a second location in Raleigh. “It’s all about the customer,” Bowler explains. “We love that new people are coming in – it’s amazing how many new faces we see every single day. It’s a good testimony for our customers. We try to treat them well, making sure they get good beer, keeping them engaged and that’s how we’ve grown.”

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tastes of the city

By sioux watson

Mura at North Hills 4121 Main Street #110

Celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2017, Mura serves sushi and classic Japanese cuisine with modern style for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and offers patio dining. Try one of the signature sushi rolls named after sister restaurants: Haymaker, Bare Bones, Edwards Mill, and of course The Mura, created by longtime head sushi chef Wol Kim. Also in the kitchen is Chef Matt Lowery, a North Carolina native, who gives classic steaks and chicken a Japanese flair on his grill, in addition to other Asian-inspired entrees including pork and seafood.

At a recent business lunch, my partner and I headed straight for the sushi menu, where we found the perfect equation for a satisfying mid-day meal: we each chose one order of sushi, and shared an order of Mura’s pork Gyoza (pan fried Japanese dumplings). My lunch partner was a sushi newbie but felt comfortable ordering one of the many fully-cooked sushi options (Crab Cake), while I chose the Carolina roll. Check the website for specials, including buy one get one half off sushi rolls at certain times daily (Saturdays excluded).

photo couresty of mura

Chuck’s

237 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh A small, charming spot with THE BEST BURGERS ever. Difficult to choose among the eight or so on offer, the “Bradley Time” rocked it hard: a house-ground chuck burger with roasted beets, Wisconsin buttermilk bleu cheese, red onion, endive and Banyuls aioli. All burgers come with a quarter pound of Belgian hand-cut fries and your choice of two sauces for the fries. The sauces are mod to tame: Espelette aioli, buttermilk herb dressing, roasted garlic aioli, sweet chili sauce, malt vinegar aioli, “the comeback sauce”, beef booster mayo, or Heinz ketchup. All for $10.50, or for $3.50 more you can make it a double. The shrimp burger beckons (love them, and they are so hard to find!) but I honestly can’t stop thinking about how good the beet and beef burger was. Chuck’s is also known for vegetarian burgers, all-natural dogs, shakes, fried pickles, and a small and curated yet reasonably priced beer and wine list, and conveniently located next door to sister restaurant Beasley’s Chicken + Honey. “Gourmet burgers, pickle fries, craft beers, Cheerwine & more in a smart, understated setting” 84 | midtownmag.com

photo couresty of chuck’s

k’s

Justin’s Grill

Quail Corners Shopping Center 1332 E Millbrook Road Justin’s Grill is a small, familyrun Mediterranean grill that seats 24, located at the corner of Millbrook and Falls of Neuse. Based upon the steady stream of customers, many of whom just came in for a takeaway lunch, there appears to be large and devoted customer base. Grab-and-go lunch spots don’t come much less pretentious than Justin’s Grill. Yeah, they have sandwiches, wraps, salads and burgers, but go there for the “Mediterranean Delicacies” such as shawarma, falafel, kibbi and gyros and you’re sure to be a repeat customer yourself!

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women of impact

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by carla turchetti

These are the local leaders who are enabling positive change, inspiring others and making a difference in the world. The women you are about to meet all share the traits that have made them women of impact. They live life with passion and purpose, and they are committed to the people and things that mean the most to them.

Tashni-Ann Dubroy, Ph.D. President, Shaw University

This Shaw University alumna took an unusual career path on her way to being named President of the South’s oldest historically black university at the age of 34. She began as a research scientist at BASF who rose to high management levels; she is co-founder of Tea & Honey Blends hair care, co-owner of Element Beauty Bar in downtown Raleigh, and she served as a chemistry professor and department head at Shaw prior to being named president. “I can’t accept full credit for curating my career, as some positions were not part of my plan,” Dubroy says. “I didn’t have an ambitious goal of becoming a college president when I started my career. Unique opportunities were facilitated by people who I now recognize were combinations of sponsors, using their influence to facilitate my promotion, and mentors, who empowered and advised me to work strategically for a promotion.” Dubroy says she has taken her skills from the corporate world and applied them to academia while being mindful of academic traditions. “Our business approach reflects a balance between bold, strategic moves that positively impact the bottom line and value for the morale of the Shaw community.” Dubroy is also the co-founder of the Brilliant & Beautiful Foundation that supports the advancement of women in science. One of their most popular learning modules is a shampoo lab for young girls, where participants create a lab full of bubbles. “All sessions are taught by women scientists so young girls get to see what a scientist looks like, and the diverse population of women scientists that lead the Brilliant & Beautiful Foundation is certainly proof that we exist in various shapes, sizes and colors.” midtownmag.com | 87

Lisa Carey, MD

Medical Director, UNC Breast Center, Chief of Hematology/Oncology, Physician-In-Chief of the NC Cancer Hospital

Dr. Lisa Carey always knew her passion would be medical research. Early on she zeroed in on cancer research specifically. “In internal medicine you spend time on all different kinds of rotations, and I found cancer patients were fascinating,” Carey says. “They were wonderful people and amazing individuals, and the science of cancer care and the pace of change was incredibly attractive to me because a lot was starting to change for cancer patients – and I wanted to be a part of that.” As her training progressed she became a breast cancer research specialist. “I thought that the patients were wonderful; I enjoyed spending time with them and learning their stories, and I thought the research was interesting.”

Now Dr. Carey is nationally recognized as a leader in identifying subtypes of breast cancer, evaluating new chemotherapy agents for early breast cancer, and examining of tumor characteristics and how they respond to chemotherapy. Dr. Carey says prevention strategies need to increase, but treatment has become so much better. “The main thing we’ve accomplished to date is that fewer people are dying of breast cancer. I am a piece of a really important machine. Every advance that I’ve been involved with has been me and unbelievably smart scientists and clinicians. A great deal of my own perspective is what is breast cancer, how do we do this better and bring it out to the community better?”

Whitney von Haam

Executive Director, Wake County Bar Association and Tenth Judicial District Bar

There are nearly 5,500 lawyers in Wake County and if they want to practice law here, they must be a member of the Tenth Judicial Bar. They may also voluntarily join the Wake County Bar Association. Both organizations fall under the leadership of Whitney von Haam. When she’s not in the midst of lawyers and the law, von Haam is a tireless community volunteer with SAFEchild, a child abuse prevention agency, as well as a Girl Scout troop leader for her daughters. She is also a past president of the Junior League of Raleigh. “My parents raised me to understand that service to the community is essential, so it has always been a part of my life,” von Haam says. It’s never been a 88 | midtownmag.com

question to me of if I should serve, but instead where I should serve. And I make my kids part of the service, too.” Von Haam was one of the co-chairs of the 2017 Governor’s Inaugural Ball presented by the Junior League. With a winter storm on the way, her committee made the decision to move the event a day ahead with just seven hours’ lead time. “We had painstakingly gone over every detail of our planned event and within a few hours it was scrapped and a new plan was in place. What I witnessed was a group of professional, committed volunteers doing what needed to be done. I have never been more proud to be a part of this women’s organization.”

photo by joe reale

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Sepideh Saidi, PE

President/CEO SEPI Engineering Companies When she left her job in the engineering sector to go out on her own, Sepideh Saidi, President and CEO of SEPI Engineering Companies, had two employees, two contracts and a lot of grit and determination. She was backed by 16 years as an engineer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and additional time at a startup firm. Fastforward to today, where her firm employs more than 200 people and is growing. “In terms of never having done anything like that before, I didn’t have a sense of the magnitude of the challenge that was ahead of me – which in a way may have been a good thing,” Saidi says. “The biggest fear is failure – regardless of what you have to lose, you don’t want to lose. If I fail I can always say that I gave it a shot and will learn from it.” Saidi believes entrepreneurial spirit prevails, even when there are setbacks. “I think typically people who have that fever and want to be entrepreneurs even if they fail, they do it again. Many entrepreneurs give it a shot several times

Sue Sturgis

Editorial Director, Facing South, the online magazine of the Institute for Southern Studies

Sue Sturgis cares about the southern United States and the issues its residents face. As Editorial Director of Facing South, the online magazine of the Institute for Southern Studies, she is aware that the South is a changing demographic, with residents pouring in from other parts of the country. “On social and economic issues, racial, ethnic and gender justice and more, what happens in the South sets the tone for the rest of the country,” Sturgis says. The nonprofit Institute for Southern Studies was founded by civil rights leaders including Julian Bond and John Lewis as a think tank for social change movements. “Our target readership is people we think of as change makers. They

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are organizers, activists and politically engaged citizens. We aim to produce material that illuminates barriers to equality and human rights and explores constructive solutions to these problems. In doing so, we hope to empower our readers to understand the issues more deeply and act more effectively.” Sturgis often dedicates her energies for Facing South toward energy and environmental issues. She says climate change and related sea-level rise are enormous issues for the growing South. “That the climate is warming and seas are rising is, of course, connected to how we power our world. So the ongoing shift from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy sources is of utmost importance for preserving our environment for future generations.”

because they are so passionate about trying to make it work.” And she is aware that engineering is still a male-dominated profession. “We are all human and you judge the situation by what you know, and if people have had dealings with a woman engineer who started a company, maybe they have always known women to be in different roles. For me, I had to, and still have to, prove myself. Credit wasn’t automatically given to me.” Saidi had no idea when she came to Raleigh for high school from her native Tehran that the Ayatollah Khomeini would come into power and she would not be returning home. But her role models were strong females in her family, and she knew she would be independent. SEPI Engineering continues to grow and now there is a wholly owned subsidiary construction management firm, Idias Contracting, which is her last name spelled backwards. That company has a female president, and she is the CEO. The new company’s focus is on securing mid-size construction projects. “When somebody tells me that I have inspired them to start a company, I feel that I have done my job. That is exciting to me.”

Women Who

Network Raleigh offers many networking groups designed to help women grow professionally. While the formats vary, the idea is that women making an impact get the chance to know each other and refer new business between one another. Some groups also provide additional business resources and educational opportunities for members.

Women in Networking

Two Raleigh chapters, North Hills and North Raleigh. WIN is “seat exclusive”-professions are only represented once in the group, Each chapter lists what is open on its website win-nc.com

Coffee and Contacts

Women’s Power Networking: Coffee and Contacts, anyone who has time for a cup of coffee, has time to network. North Hills, North Raleigh, Crabtree and downtown Raleigh chapters, womenspowernetworking.com

Dream Link

Dream Link Women’s Business Networking offers a Lunch Think Tank twice monthly or monthly for Morning coffee or evening glass of wine. meetup.com/dreamlink

Housewives in the City

The Raleigh chapter hosts monthly “Girls Night Out” and Meetup events for networking and support. housewivesinthecity.com/raleigh

Girl Develop It!

A nationwide non-profit that offers affordable programs for adult women interested in web and software development, the Raleigh/Durham chapter meets through social events and classes. meetup.com/Girl-Develop-It-RDU

Connected Women of NC

A local offshoot of Connected Women of Cisco, the nonprofit group’s format works across industries, level of education and career status, helping women with support, scholarship , mentoring, career workshops and networking opportunities. Join or view events at www.cwnc.org

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Elizabeth Galecke sees the world from behind a camera lens. With more than two decades of experience as a photographer, Galecke takes black-and-white candid portraits of her subjects. Among her favorite shoots are the ones that document a day in the life of a family from the time the children awaken until they go to bed. She says this allows her to capture life spontaneously and leave a piece of history behind. “Adult women are often so critical of themselves that they usually cringe at the thought of their photo being taken.” Galecke says. “If I can help them relax and be themselves and even have fun in front of the camera and they love what I capture, it’s the best feeling.”

Elizabeth Galecke Owner, Elizabeth Galecke Photography

Galecke also loves photographing quiet landscape vignettes, and has rededicated herself to slowing down and taking a look at things around her and capturing their beauty. These photos are tagged on social media with the hashtag #EyesWideOpen. “I started to use it to create awareness of slowing down, paying attention and discovering beauty in everyday life,” Galecke says. Now others have joined her in the #EyesWideOpen movement and are posting their photos as well. Galecke will have some of hers on exhibit at the Ackland Museum Store Galley in Chapel Hill. Galecke has spent a good deal of time volunteering with children’s cancer causes, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and anti-child abuse advocates. She recently took photos of StepUp Ministry program participants documenting their success. But it was back in 1999, while she was growing her business, that she found herself spending a lot of time with other female entrepreneurs and was led to create Chix in Business – a business networking group that also has a social side and is focused on helping members achieve work/life balance. “We are learning from each other, facing fears and challenges, giving back, and having a ton of fun.” photo by joe reale

Jackie Craig

Co-founder, The Green Chair Project Before she co-founded The Green Chair Project, Jackie Craig knew a few things about volunteering in the community to help those who need it the most. She also knew from her work as a stager for home sales that people had entirely too much stuff and they just needed an excuse to let it go. That’s how she became part of an effort to collect all that extra furniture in attics, basements, and even people’s living rooms, and make it accessible to people living in sparsely furnished surroundings. “It used to be considered a victory to get someone living on the streets or chronically homeless into shelter, but then 92 | midtownmag.com

they would walk into a bad chair and a sleeping bag on the floor. Somehow that was a little bit better than homelessness, but what was missing was that component of a furnished home and making a place that felt like their own.” The Green Chair Project sets up its space much like a home decorating showroom. Participants, who are referred by partner social service agencies and churches, are given a set amount of Green Chair money to spend. “It’s a couch to sit on with your child and read book or it’s a lamp to light the room or it’s a table and chairs to sit at and

be able to eat dinner – or even basic pots and pans and utensils to eat a meal.” One new project addresses what the nonprofit has identified as a growing problem in Wake County – children without a proper bed to sleep in. Health regulations prohibit donations of beds, but for $250, the Green Chair project purchases and delivers a brand new bed complete with comfortable linens that becomes a place for a child to sleep peacefully. The Green Chair Project isn’t named after any specific piece of furniture – it’s named with idea of recycling and upcycling furniture in a green manner.

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MA Allen

Owner, MA Allen Interiors

MA Allen is making Raleigh more beautiful one room – and one block – at a time. She is an awardwinning designer who has been acclaimed by the national press. But when you come right down to it, she is a North Carolina native who believes everyone should have a special space. “My design style is, at its base, classic. It’s timeless. I think it’s all about promoting collecting antiques and combining them with pieces that might be midcentury modern, along with cute pieces that are new. Color choices and patterns with fabrics and materials may be unexpected combinations, and we create balance through old and new, traditional and modern. The end result is pleasing, but it is a pretty good mishmash.” MA Allen Interiors is housed in a downtown Raleigh building circa 1922. Once upon a time it was a corner grocery. MA worked within good design and historical specifications to create a one-of-a-kind office that is the centerpiece of the block. Her personal office has no windows, so she brightened it with magenta pink paint on the walls with black trim. “My biggest goal of my remodel was to replace the gable roof with a flat roof and restore it to its original look. I was traveling in Italy shortly before closing, and I was inspired by planter boxes in Florence and Rome. I came back from that trip with a design to add big planter boxers to soften the front facade.” And she urges everyone to be inspired by the travels and events of their own lives as they create meaningful spaces. “Add art and fabrics picked up from traveling; enjoy your grandmother’s sideboard or your greatgrandmother’s china. Surround yourself with the things that bring you joy and tell your story.”

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Siobhan Southern and Caroline Morrison Co-owners, Fiction Kitchen

photo by joe reale

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In the very beginning, Siobhan Southern and Caroline Morrison were just looking for a place to enjoy a plant-based meal. “At the time there were very few vegetarian and vegan items on most menus, and in many cases if there was a veggie option, it was the same old salad, bean burritos and portobello sandwiches,” Southern says. “We felt there was a real lack of thoughtfully prepared vegetarian items and wanted to make exciting yet comforting hearty choices that would appeal to vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike.” The idea to create and serve a menu like that began with monthly pop-up vegan brunches that helped shape their brand and build a customer base. After two years of pop-ups, they opened the Fiction Kitchen in downtown Raleigh. They liked the location because it was a part of the historic art and warehouse district, but also because it was close to two farmers’ markets. Fresh, local produce is the heart and soul of the Fiction Kitchen menu. “We want to show people that sourcing products and vegetables from their very own community is rewarding in so many ways. North Carolina has a fruitful growing season, so by relying on what is in season we not only reduce our carbon footprint, we also support our local farmers and help the economy.” The Fiction Kitchen versions of “chicken” and waffles and pulled “pork” BBQ are crowd favorites, but Southern says the soup, Locavore Salad and Farmers’ Market Plates change every few days and represent produce at its freshest and finest. “Chef Caroline Morrison is inspired on a daily basis by all the different vegetables we are fortunate enough to access in this wonderful state we call home,” Southern says.

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Come On I Step inside a beautiful home Inside the Beltline that features a bold color palette, vintage treasures and unstoppable panache. By carla turchetti photography By davies photography

fresh eggs on the counter from the russellsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; backyard coop

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the russellsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; kitchen is decorated with antique bread advertisement signs and bread boxes, and a screen door that once advertised bread for a store has been repurposed as their pantry door.

n In!

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hen you walk in the front door of Beth and Roger Russell’s home, you are greeted by an explosion of style and personality. This couple has taken a traditional 1930s Inside the Beltline home and created a space where antiques mingle with the latest innovations, and meaningful accessories are the cherry on top. The Russells purchased this home in Raleigh’s Budleigh neighborhood in 1995 and they immediately began the first of what has become three renovations. “I walked in and I knew immediately that with the character of an old house, I had a vision of what we could do,” Beth says. “We changed doorways and windows into doors, that sort of thing.” That’s how the red brick exterior turned cream, the upstairs bedrooms and baths were reconfigured, and the outside gained an entertaining area and a pool. Subsequent years added a first floor master suite, additional living space to the kitchen, and an outdoor entertaining area. Beth Russell is bold with color. The front door opens into a foyer with a gently curved staircase. The foyer, the living room, and an adjacent family room are all dominated by pink. “You see a lot of the very soft, muted walls, and that is a direction a lot of homes are going in now,” Beth says. “But we love color. That is the one thing Roger and I say when we walk in the house, is it makes us smile. It’s fun and it’s happy, and I’ve got a great husband who will let me paint the walls pink.” “It’s salmon,” Roger gently corrects her with a smile.

The downstairs hardwoods have been painted in a black and white diamond scheme that ties all the spaces together.

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The formal living room is eclectic, with paintings secured during a trip to Provence existing side-by-side with Beth’s collection of antique wedding cake toppers. A vintage Gucci purse she discovered in Nashville is part of a vignette on a side table. Sofas that face each other are bright pops of green. To the side of the formal living room is a pink and green room that is cozy and inviting and begs you to sit down and relax. The large, flat panel television is on one wall and most of the rest of the room is made up of windows that look out onto an endless

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scape of green in the yard. The wood on the ceilings was a find, as was the medallion on the wall. Beth loves to scour antique shops for unique pieces for her home. “I’ve always loved going to flea markets. Be it in town, throughout North Carolina or throughout our travels,” Beth says. “That’s why our house is a combination of old and new. Sometimes one piece can make a whole room.” Moving from the living room toward the dining room, you catch your reflection in a series of vintage mirrors

hanging on the wall. Take a turn and you are in the modern-day version of a butler’s pantry. Beth added upper cabinets that are a part of her black, red and white color scheme along with a granite-topped wet bar. Open shelving accommodates crystal, dishes and wine, and the lighting bounces off these reflective surfaces, making everything sparkle. It’s an open space that is perfect for a party – and the Russells love to host a party. “I love to cook. And this is a great place to be able to cook, for sure,” Beth says.

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The kitchen Beth cooks in features the finest in new appliances alongside some of her vintage treasures. “Bread’ is the theme of the kitchen and you will find antique bread advertisement signs, bread boxes, and a screen door that once advertised bread for a store that has now been repurposed as the door to the pantry. The kitchen island is a statement piece in woodworking that is both decorative and functional. The surface is great for food preparation or serving, or just sitting down to have a little something to eat on comfortable corduroycovered stools. Shelves built into the island also provide additional storage space. The kitchen cabinets were hand made out of furniture that Beth found and had stripped. The kitchen is open to a sitting area that follows the red, white and black cohesiveness of the butler’s pantry and kitchen, but it features its own rooster theme, an homage to the chickens who live in their backyard coop. “I’m a theme person; I do love themes,” Beth says. Last year the Russells added a first floor master suite addition, and it is bathed in the only subdued palette in the home. Soothing blue and calm beige are on the ceiling and walls throughout the bedroom, master closets and adjoining bath. The bedroom has a seating area with comfortable chairs and the balcony, which looks over the beauty of the yard, is the perfect place to sit and sip a morning cup of coffee.

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Beth Russell was raised in Raleigh but there is a special place in her heart for New York City. Their daughter went to college there and has stayed to pursue her profession, and now all of the upstairs bedrooms follow a New York theme. There’s the Tiffany blue suite with a floating bed frame handcrafted by Beth’s brother, woodworker Bo Taylor. There’s the workout room in Cartier red with lyrics to John Lennon’s Imagine painted on the wall. There are black lacquer walls in one of the home’s original bathrooms (black is one of Chanel’s five essential colors and the color of elegance for Coco Chanel). The Henri Bendel room features the brown-and-white stripes that are the trademark of the New York specialty store. And an antique Hermes scarf is framed in another bedroom and is the inspiration behind the room’s walls, which are painted signature Hermes orange.

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The scarf in the frame is typical of the type of pieces that adorn the Russell home. There are no massproduced pieces of artwork hung to fill up space. What is displayed is meaningful and was selected with care. There are paintings that were picked up during trips to Provence and Cuba. A program autographed by Luciano Pavarotti after a performance the Russells attended. There are family photographs old and new, artwork created by their daughter as a child, and even a drawing of the home in which Beth Russell was raised. Their home is so much their signature

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that no matter where they roam, they are always glad to return. “I love coming home, and if we go out of town and travel it is always great to come home. It just feels like us,” Beth says. The Russells created a backyard oasis during one of their renovations that is complete with covered seating, a dining area, an outside fireplace and a pool. Beth likes to garden and has created a lush landscape during the growing season. She credits the home’s original owner with planting the foundation of the garden with what has become mature camellias,

boxwoods, magnolias and hydrangea. She also added a stylish chicken coop complete with aqua painted accents, twinkling lights and a wreath, that her ten chickens call home. The chickens are responsible for the bowl of fresh eggs on the kitchen counter. The backyard is one of the Russells’ favorite places to entertain or just relax in front of the hearth, and the same is true for so many of Raleigh’s homeowners. Just because spring hasn’t quite arrived, that doesn’t mean you can’t stop getting ready for a summer growing season.

photos on the right courtesy of beth and roger russell

Beth Russell gives much credit to the talented people she works with, who help make her vision for her home a reality. Â Greg Paul Builders, Inc., Hart-Paul Designs, Bo Taylor Custom Woodworking, Fulfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, CAN Decorative Painting, Christine Batts (custom cushions and seats), and Floral Design by Wylde.

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photos courtesy of atlantic avenue orchid & garden center

gardening in the triangle Michael Riha, Director of Landscape Design at Atlantic Avenue Orchid & Garden Center, says it’s never too early to get your garden ready. “In mild winter climates like ours, fall and winter are great times to plant dormant trees and shrubs. This ensures the plants can take advantage of a full spring season to grow and set roots before the heat of summer rolls in,” Mike says. In this area the last frost of the season is generally around April 10th. Mike says that is the time to get leftover fall leaves out of the way and finalize your plans for what you want to grow. “After the last frost date it’s full steam ahead putting your plans into action. You can start planting tender summer annuals or the warm veggies you’ve been thinking

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about all winter. Spring is really the time to get out there and start turning those garden dreams from deep winter into realities.” While it’s easy to get carried away with dreams of planting and maintaining something along the lines of the gardens at Biltmore Estate, Mike says it’s important to be realistic about what you can maintain. “With research, careful planning and intelligent plant choices, it’s possible to create gardens that are beautiful and don’t require hours of work every weekend,” Riha says. “If you have only a handful of weekends every year to spend in your garden, then lots of formal, clipped hedges that require endless staking, fertilizing and constant watering aren’t good choices.” And what are his two best tips for planting your best garden ever? “Plant densely and in layers,” Mike suggests. “Dense plantings that quickly cover all the available ground greatly reduce the opportunities for weeds to infiltrate the planting; this reduces the amount of maintenance over the life of the planting.” And the second tip? “Layering plantings, small trees, shrubs, perennials and ground covers all in the same area mimics Mother Nature in producing plantings that are both beautiful and resistant to outside weeds.”

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spring When spring arrives in Raleigh this year, the warming sun and glistening dew will cast a refreshing spell on a city that may be getting a new start. After a year in which the arts became intertwined with politics under the glare of national news and international boycotts, thanks to an unpopular law that targeted minorities, the Governor’s Mansion on North Blount Street has a new occupant, one who’s vowed to undo the legislation that has brought unwanted ignominy to the state. For the local arts scene, things have both changed and remained the same. It’s hard to tell if the paucity of out-of-state stars booked for the city’s stages is merely seasonal, or tied to a widespread if hardly universal aversion to performing in North Carolina. But Raleigh artists and arts presenters, meanwhile, haven’t gone anywhere. We will make our own art here, and by the looks of the season’s offerings, we have performers of tremendous gifts. Supporting them is more vital than ever.

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arts preview

By David Fellerath

NC State liveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the nile project photo courtesy of nc state university

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photo courtesy of koka Booth Amphitheatre

beer & bacon festival

Festivals, Parades + More St. Patrick’s Day is on a Friday this year, so those with any sense will stay far, far away from the downtown watering holes. Why not stay home with your Guinness and Jameson’s, order up The Quiet Man on your streaming service of choice, and stay away from the amateur Irish? For a more tranquil, family-friendly observance of the green holiday, celebrate during the annual Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day parade, which will be on the preceding Saturday, March 11th. Expect lots of step dancing and bagpipes, courtesy of local dance schools and performers like the NC State University Pipes and Drums. You won’t find any green beer here, but on March 19th, in time for Passover, the Cary community is invited to the Jewish Cultural Festival. Learn about the roots of this most important holiday, including the stories of Moses, maror, and matzah. Local rabbis will give presentations on Jewish history

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and religious practice, and children can make unleavened bread in the “Matzah Factory” and enjoy the songs of entertainer Joanie Leeds. Local food vendors will be on hand for what promises to be an educational and tasty occasion at the Cary Arts Center. Presented by the Town of Cary, Chabad of Cary, Beth Shalom, and the RaleighCary Jewish Community Center, the free event runs from 3-6pm. townofcary.org Did you miss the Beer and Bacon Festival last year at Koka Booth Amphitheatre? Never fear: It returns this spring, on April 8th. Tickets start at $39. beerandbacon.com On April 23, come celebrate the artistic accomplishments of Cary’s schoolchildren. In a special event co-sponsored by the North Carolina Symphony, the Cary Music & Arts festival features performances by band, chorus, and visual arts students from southwestern Wake County schools.

RA The free event (suggested donation of $5) begins at 4pm. boothamphitheatre.com There’s no better way for the artsand-crafts-collecting set to enjoy the Cary sunshine than to get out to the Spring Daze festival in Fred G. Bond Park, Cary’s 310-acre urban park. With more than 170 North Carolina artisans in attendance, plus food vendors aplenty, this will be a fine interlude between spring and summer. The April 29th event runs from 9am-5pm. townofcary.org

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NC Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Nile Project is an ambitious feat of ethnomusicology, curation, and Afropop rhythms. photos by Habi Girgis.

MUSIC One of the most exciting musical happenings this spring occurs in the world music category, and it takes place on the campus of NC State University. Called The Nile Project, it is an ambitious feat of ethnomusicology, curation, and Afropop rhythms. Founded in 2011 by Egyptian ethnomusicologist Mina Girgis and Ethiopian-American singer Meklit Hadero, this project aims to bring together the music of the many cultures that exist along the 4,200-mile-long river. The resulting 2015 US tour was such a success that they are back for a second go-round. This time, the musicians are kicking off their tour with a week-long residency at NCSU. There are numerous events on the calendar, starting with a ticketed concert at Stewart Theatre on March 15th, and closing with a free on-campus concert on March 21st. In between, there are workshops, films and lectures, which all have a strong focus on water quality and access, in addition to cultural patrimony. live.arts.ncsu.edu 116 | midtownmag.com

In the rock clubs of Raleigh, one notable show occurs March 31st, when The Flaming Lips take the stage at The Ritz Raleigh. Has it really been six years since lead singer Wayne Coyne rolled around in a space bubble on top of the City Plaza crowd at the Hopscotch Music Festival? ritzraleigh.com A big change is at hand for the NC Opera, as conductor and artistic director Timothy Myers announced in February that he would step down this September. So, if this year is his last hurrah, there’s some work worth celebrating on the schedule. From February 25th-March 5th, there’s a fully staged production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro at the A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater. Then, at the end of April in the big room of Memorial Auditorium, there will be two performances only of Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers. In between these shows, on March 28th, rising star tenor Michael Fabiano performs an evening of opera standards in Fletcher. Fabiano, who has played leads in such prestigious houses as the Metropolitan Opera, Paris Opera and Covent Garden, will play a program that includes Puccini, Verdi, Liszt, Massenet, Strauss, Cilea, Tosti and Duparc. ncopera.org The NC Symphony goes big this spring, most notably with three performances of Beethoven’s Ninth from April 20th-22nd, all at Meymandi Concert Hall. The North Carolina Master Chorale will be on hand for the vocal portions, supporting guest soloists Rebecca Evans, Reginald Smith, Jr., Anthony Dean Griffey and Paula Murrihy. Grant Llewellyn conducts. But the Symphony won’t be only about past masters in traditional spaces. It is continuing to present contemporary composers in contemporary spaces, such as CAM Raleigh. On March 25th, Sarah Kirkland Snider’s Unremembered, a 13-part song cycle, highlights a program that will feature vocalists Padma Newsome, DM Stith, Shara Nova (of My Brightest Diamond), and violinist Carolina Shaw. Back at Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts, other notable events include two nights with Ben Vereen doing standards (March 17th-18th) and Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem (April 7th-8th). ncsymphony.org

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At NC State’s Stewart Theatre, for one night only, the Aquila Theatre will present The Trojan War: Our Warrior Chorus. photo courtesy of nc state university.

THEATER In April, Burning Coal tackles a personality whose life contains an important Raleigh footnote. The play is Marco Ramirez’s The Royale, which premiered in Los Angeles in 2013 and had subsequent mountings in London and New York. The story concerns an early 20th-century boxer named Jay Jackson who becomes the first AfricanAmerican heavyweight champion. If this sounds like Jack Johnson to you, you may also know that Johnson died in a car crash on US 1 in Franklinton, 25 miles north of Raleigh. The critically acclaimed play receives its North Carolina premiere, running April 6th-23rd. Avis HatcherPuzzo directs. burningcoal.org At NC State’s Stewart Theatre, for one night only, the Aquila Theatre will present The Trojan War: Our Warrior Chorus. The production, which features combat veterans in the cast, will present an adaptation of ancient myths, filtered through the lens of modern warfare. According to the promotional materials, viewers can expect “the clash of gods and heroes, the rage of Achilles, the suicide of Ajax, the fall of Troy and the rise of Rome.” live.arts.ncsu.edu The longtime family theater stalwart Raleigh Little Theatre has two children’s shows this spring: When She Had Wings, a mystical tale of a girl who dreams of 118 | midtownmag.com

the set of when she had wings. photo courtesy of imagination stage.

flying, and the Roald Dahl adaptation James and the Giant Peach. The former runs March 17th-April 2nd, and the latter April 21st-30th. On March 25th, support this theater by attending its fundraiser, Divas!, an evening of song and dance featuring an array of community performers. And don’t miss the opportunity to purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win two tickets to a New York performance of Hamilton. raleighlittletheatre.org Theatre in the Park’s big spring show is the oldie but goodie On Golden Pond. No word on the casting of the roles that went to Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn and Jane Fonda in the 1981 movie, but this show runs April 7th-23rd. theatreinthepark.com Broadway Series South and NC Theatre’s sole offering in March and April is a week-long run of Jesus Christ Superstar. Felicitously timed with Easter week, this show can’t help but pack a hallelujah in the expanses of Raleigh Memorial Auditorium from April 11th-16th. nctheatre.com

Attributed to Giovanni Bellini, Christ Carrying the Cross, circa 1500–10, oil on panel.

VISUAL ART The big news lately at the North Carolina Museum of Art has been the opening of its fine outdoor space, known as the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park. While that will continue to draw visitors, surely some will be enticed inside the galleries by an exciting show of Renaissance art that opens March 4th, titled Glory of Venice: Renaissance Paintings 1470-1520. Although seemingly narrow in scope, such a tight lens is a good way to get a handle on a sprawling historical period. There will be approximately 50 works, including altarpieces, secular and devotional paintings, and portraits. Twenty of the works are on loan from Venice’s Gallerie dell’Accademia. And there are masterpieces, too – notably Bellini’s The Annunciation. This show, curated by the Denver Museum of Art, has a relatively brief run, closing June 18th. It’s separately ticketed, with a maximum price set at $18. Elsewhere in the NCMA galleries on Blue Ridge Road, the Ansel Adams exhibit, which opened Feb. 4th and will be ticketed with the Venice show when they run concurrently, continues through May 7th. This show features 48 prints by America’s best-loved Western lensman, and will include his famous images from Yosemite National Park and other locations. And on April 8th, a show of Mississippi author Eudora Welty’s photographs opens. Featuring 18 photos that the author, who died in 2001, shot in the 1930s and ‘40s, the exhibit will show Welty operating in a Depression mode that is reminiscent of Dorothea Lange, Helen Levitt and Walker Evans. ncartmuseum.org Over at CAM Raleigh, the key spring opening is a show of recent work by Leonardo Drew, a Brooklyn-based African-American conceptual and assemblage artist whose work utilizes natural materials. This show opens First Friday, March 3rd, and closes June 4th. camraleigh.org Giovanni Battista Cima da Conegliano, Madonna and Child in a Landscape, circa 1496–99, oil on panel.

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DANCE A year ago, the Carolina Ballet joined the worldwide celebration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death with a number of original, Bard-themed works. This spring, the ballet turns to a couple of the best-loved celebrations of vernal happiness. The spring centerpiece runs through 11 performances at Fletcher Opera Theater, and it’s called Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Choreographed by Robert Weiss, this work returns by popular demand just three years after its sold-out premiere run. In late April, the ballet goes big in Memorial Auditorium with five performances in four days of Rhapsody in Blue, inspired by the Gershwin masterpiece of the same title, which company choreographer Zalman Raffael calls the “unofficial anthem from the American canon”. The Carolina Ballet’s version is a reprise of its 2011 premiere in the Fletcher space. carolinaballet.com

carolina ballet’s rhapsody in blue. photo by 20/20photo-video.com

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nc museum of natural sciences presents RACE: Are we so different; opens april 22nd.

Theatre In The Park presents

Lynda Clark

Ira David Wood III

written by

ernest thompson

directed by

Ira David Wood III

april 7-23 2017 theatreinthepark.com

Museums

box office

919.831.6058 ON GOLDEN POND is produce d through specia l arra ngement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

The study of race as a science has a long, complex, and not infrequently evil history. Kudos, then, to the NC Museum of Natural Sciences for opening an exhibit devoted to this most charged of American topics. RACE: Are We So Different, which opens April 22nd and runs through the summer, is a nationally touring exhibition that examines its subject through three lenses: race as an idea, the experience of living with race, and the modern scientific challenge to its foundations. The show includes “interactive exhibit components, artifacts, iconic objects, compelling and historical photographs, multimedia presentations, attractive graphic displays, and thoughtprovoking questions.” This exhibit will be free of charge, although it’s somewhat telling of our lowered expectations as a society that this popular, publicly funded, 138-yearold nonprofit institution describes this decision as an “unprecedented public service to the people of North Carolina.” naturalsciences.org The United States spent a relatively short amount of time engaged in the Great War of 1914-1918, but it was a pivotal experience, politically and culturally. This spring, the NC Museum of History opens an exhibit to mark the centennial of America’s entry into the war, with a focus on the contributions and sacrifices of North Carolinians. The 6,500-square-foot exhibition will feature approximately 500 artifacts, photographs, a trench diorama, and “video re-enactments that feature European and North Carolina soldiers and citizens to relate the stories of ordinary men and women from North Carolina who provided extraordinary service to their country 100 years ago.” The exhibit opens April 8th with a public commemoration that includes a wreath-laying ceremony at the North Carolina Veterans Memorial on the State Capitol grounds. ncmuseumofhistory.org

ESCAPE HERE THIS SUMMER. Enjoy hours and hours of fun, all summer long. • Cool themes, events, and field trips • Healthy meals and snacks • Brand-new backpack with water bottle and T-shirt • Full- and part-time enrollment

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Raleigh

On The Move

Area Home Sales are Sizzling

// By Jenni Hart

For home buyers moving to the Triangle from out of state, or those considering a local move, the residential real estate market is pushing them to bring their A game.

Gone are the days of leisurely perusing real estate flyers and internet listings, mulling the myriad options for weeks or months and hoping for a price reduction. This market is warmer, warmer, getting hot – and serious buyers are ready to pounce. National sales totals were so strong at the end of last year that Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller home price index officially declared the housing market “officially, completely recovered.” Our local market mirrors the national trend. Home sales in Wake County were strong in 2016, with total overall sales and average home prices showing improvements over 2015, which itself closed out with strong improvements over 2014. The Triangle Multiple 122 | midtownmag.com

Listing Service numbers from the last two months of 2016, the most recent data available at press time, show closed home sales were over 6.5 percent higher than the same two-month period in 2015, and nearly12 percent higher than in 2014. Median sale prices and the list-to-sale price ratio are similarly strong, with properties in particular price ranges often receiving multiple offers and selling for higher than list price. What does this mean for homebuyers interested in entering the market? With inventory down in the existing home market and new homebuilders gearing up to meet demand, it means they must be very well prepared. Tom Smith, broker in charge with Berkshire

Hathaway HomeServices York Simpson Underwood Realty (BHHS YSU Realty), encourages both buyers and sellers to monitor the market as closely as possible. “Make sure your real estate professional knows your wants and needs so that you can be prepared to act quickly,” he says. While BHHS YSU Realty sells real estate in all price ranges, it is especially known for expertise in the luxury home market. And although other price ranges may be moving more quickly, even luxury home sales have ticked up over the past several years. Besides the customary pre-approval, Smith says buyers can improve their position by asking their agent to look into a particular seller’s priorities when it comes to the timing and conditions of the transaction. A seller may want to stay in the home an extra month or longer to align with the closing date of another property, and a buyer willing to accommodate that preference can make out better in a competitive bidding situation. “Anything a buyer can do to create a bit more comfort for the seller will benefit them,” Smith says. In this market, that may even include a buyer’s ability and willingness to cover the difference between the property price and the appraisal amount. “You don’t want that to become a negotiating point later in the transaction,” he adds. Inventory of existing homes is down in every price segment, Smith says, with three months’ supply at most in the higher ranges, and one or two months’ supply in others. “Demand is very strong, so as inventory increases, we’re poised to have another very good year,” he says. Naturally, this bodes well for sellers, so homeowners who have been on the fence are deciding now is the time to act. Van Fletcher, realtor and broker with Allen Tate Realtors, cautions would-be sellers not to neglect the longstanding practice of preparing their home for the market. “Buyers are still going to evaluate the home closely,” he allure homes

says. “So no seller should ignore the fundamentals.” Fletcher says regardless of price, every buyer is looking for a property that’s as move-in ready as possible. Replacing worn carpet, freshening up the paint and tending to tired landscaping can’t be overlooked by sellers who want to take full advantage of the market. Fletcher also cautions against sellers assuming they’ll always get a premium in a highdemand market. “Buyers don’t want to present a lowball offer,” he says. “The market speaks to you by not bringing you an offer, and it tends to be the most simple reason of all – you’ve set the price too high.” Fletcher says a seller can be assured that a desirable property that’s priced appropriately will fetch close to the asking price, possibly higher in the case of multiple offers. Fletcher, who marks his 10th year in real estate this year, is also a big proponent of staging, to the point every home at every price gets the attention of Fletcher’s in-house “property stylists.” Providing this service to sellers at no additional fee ensures that prospective buyers see a home at its best. “The biggest difference is with an empty house,” he says, adding that it’s always harder for buyers to imagine themselves living in a house that’s sitting empty. Whether you’re a buyer interested in purchasing a new or existing home, or a seller getting ready to enter this fastmoving market, you will find the Triangle continues to rate among the most desirable regions in the country to live. Tom Smith has been in real estate since 1986, and he credits the area’s strong and diversified economy, and the relative cost of living compared to other regions, with continuing to attract newcomers. The proximity to both the coast and the mountains is also an unbeatable selling point. Once newcomers arrive, Smith says the warmth and hospitality they find tend to keep them here. Finding the right home in the Triangle will always be a good investment. midtownmag.com | 123

allure homes Specializing in Home Building,Renovations, Additions, and Historic Home Preservation.

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realestate GUIDE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Allure Homes has been building and remodeling homes inside the beltline and in the North Hills area for over a decade, providing exceptional quality and craftsmanship at every stage of the building process. Owner Paul Baggett specializes in working directly with clients to build the ideal home for their needs. In addition to working directly with buyers, Allure builds a few spec homes each year. Baggett incorporates design ideas and material preferences from clients to ensure each home reflects the same custom aesthetic and the most sought-after features in the market. Allure is known for fine architectural details and the creative use of materials, including stone, brick, and unique door and window features. “It’s a difference you notice when you drive by,” Baggett says. Throughout the site preparation and home build, Allure works to maintain the integrity of the land and its surroundings. From preserving existing trees when possible, to communicating with nearby neighbors, Baggett says he understands the value of creating good will in the community. “When almost all of your clients come from word-of-mouth recommendations, I think it’s a good sign you’re doing things right,” he says. The Spivey family, whose home is featured in the photos at left, had known for some time that they wanted to build their next home, and when Allure acquired a desirable lot in the ideal location, the timing could not have been better. Allure had already razed the property’s existing structure and prepared the lot when the Spiveys embarked on the eight-month process of seeing their vision come to life. In addition to making the customary choices of cabinet and lighting layouts, hardware finishes and tile selections, Ashley Spivey worked closely with the Allure team to design a custom hood above the cooktop. She also hand-selected the walnut counter top for the butler’s pantry. Baggett says these kinds of special touches are the very definition of a truly custom home. The Spiveys have been in their new home a little over a year, and Ashley says they could not be happier with the final result.

3 1 2 W. M i l l b r o o k R d , S u i t e 2 4 1 R a l e i g h , NC 2 7 6 0 9 919.696.8500 info@allurehomesnc.com allurehomesnc.com

2017

Available Allure Homes starting in the $950’s

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jim allen group The #1 Sales Team in North America!

The Raleigh area continues to receive accolades year after year as one of the best place to live, work, learn, play, and retire in the country. A superior quality of life and affordability makes Raleigh and the Triangle area an ultimate destination of choice. At The Jim Allen Group, Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston, we have hundreds of new homes for sale. Whether relocating to the area or considering a move to a new location, let us help you find your dream home. Our website has detailed information on new home neighborhoods with satellite maps and lifestyle amenities available in each neighborhood-a comprehensive resource for new homes priced to fit your style and budget. With over 500 years of combined real estate experience, our professional team will provide you with a pleasant, relaxed home selling and buying experience. Whether you are an experienced luxury homebuyer or a first time buyer, we’ll assist you in finding the home of your dreams, building a new house or selling your home for the most value. If you’ve been considering selling your home, now is an excellent time with high buyer demand, a low inventory of homes, low interest rates and a growing job market.

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There’s a reason why we are the #1 team in North America – find out why when you call and schedule your initial home buying consultation. Serving multiple locations around the Triangle and Surrounding Communities. We Are The Real Estate Experts of the Triangle! Call us today 919.845.9909!

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2017

joshua furr block & associates realty Corporate Residential Leasing Broker For the fifth consecutive year Residential Rental Specialist Joshua Furr has once again been named the #1 Independent Leasing Agent in Wake County. Joshuaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s services include exceptional rental assistance for property owners, builders, investors and the real estate community. Each year thousands of property owners rent their homes and depend on Joshua & Block Realty to help them place a high-caliber tenant that will treat their home with great respect. Block & Associates has proven to homeowners throughout the Triangle that whether the residential sales market is strong or weak, there will always be a demand for quality rentals. During the 2007-2013 financial crisis Block & Associates saved many homeowners from losing their properties to foreclosure or forced short sale, and a bad credit rating. Now that the real estate sales market is historically at one of its strongest levels in Wake County, rental price points are soaring, and the demand for quality rentals has never been so great. Joshua would love the opportunity to explain why purchasing residential rentals or not selling your home at this time could be the smartest financial decision you will ever make! Reach out today and let Joshua lead you to a new lease on life!

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2017 realestate GUIDE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

langley realty team Helping Clients Find Jobs and Homes in North Carolina.

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Over 48 Years in Triangle Real Estate Sales and Property Management To those who know the legacy behind the Parrish brand, it comes as no surprise that many years later Renee Parrish Baker, Broker-Owner of Parrish Realty, would be opening yet another office. Parrish Realty has had an Impressive Impact in N.C. Real Estate and guess what? – They always give back in support of scholarships and local initiatives. Beginning in 1969 when her father William Parrish opened one of the area’s first Real Estate Offices, the company has become a trusted advisor in Real Estate Decision-Making.

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With two companies offering two solutions – Real Estate is not just her business – it’s a legacy.

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sybil carpenter hobbs Serving Buyers, Sellers and Investors – with a specialty in seniors transitioning to retirement living. Serving buyers, sellers and investors throughout the Triangle, I also offer expanded services for sellers desiring assistance/support in the process. My Certified Project Management skills help assist clients making the transition from homes to retirement homes/assisted living. All listing clients are offered concierge Project management services: • Pricing & marketing home for a quick sale and smooth transition • Empowering clients and giving them the confidence with the transition using timelines and action plans • Organizing personal items-keep, donate or sell! • Staging homes • Arranging vetted and trusted professionals including handyman, maid service, movers, tag sale services • Legal needs and financial advisors As a Realtor, I provide a full set of services to get your home SOLD. As a Certified Project Manager I ensure a stress free transition with trusted service providers. 919.633.0651 Sybilann1@gmail.com C a r p e n t e r H o b b s R e a l t y. c o m

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midtowndowntown

nccomicon:

oak city

It’s quiet in Foundation’s Edge this Tuesday morning, but that’s only because the shipment hasn’t arrived yet. When that happens, all this week’s comic books will come in. And then, on Wednesday morning, these issues will hit the shelves and local comic book lovers will come get their fix, as they have at Foundation’s Edge since the 1980s. This little shop, which is tucked away a short walk down Pogue Street from Hillsborough, celebrated its 30th birthday in February. In its many years of business, some things simply haven’t changed, Brockton McKinney observes with obvious wonder. He’s excited about the wall of VHS tapes in particular – he’s enamored with gory old B movies, and he’s found a treasure trove here. Exploring this little store, an hour passes like ten minutes. 130 | midtownmag.com

By corbie hill photos by reDirect Photography

“I’m looking through the VHS. I’m looking at the walls. I’m looking at toys I like,” he gushes. “I bought my daughter a dragon candle that the owner’s wife had made. It doesn’t get any more local than that – you can’t get that anywhere else.” McKinney is creative director of NC Comicon, which brings its NC Comicon: Oak City to the Raleigh Convention Center March 18th-19th (the Durham show, NC Comicon: Bull City, is November 10th-12th). Today, though, we’re driving all over Raleigh, taking the pulse of local comic book stores. Some of these businesses, like Foundation’s Edge, have

deep roots in the area; others are only a few months old, but have already found their niches in the local economy. Shops like these and conventions like the Comicon support a community of comics-loving locals, one that not only thrives, but grows as nerd culture pervades the mainstream through big-budget cinema or shows like The Big Bang Theory, Daredevil, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. “Because of the Marvel movies, because of the saturation in TV with DC and Marvel and all that stuff, people now are like, ‘Maybe I’m interested in comic books. I’ll check one of these little [conventions],’” McKinney offers. “And it ends up just being massive. They can’t believe all the stuff that’s in there.” At NC Comicon: Oak City, for instance, McKinney points out that Darryl McDaniels – aka the “D.M.C.” of Run-D.M.C. – also has his own comic book publishing house and will be one of the guests of honor this year. Previous guests at the Bull City Comicon have included luminaries like The Walking Dead artist Charlie Adlard and My Chemical Romance vocalist Gerard Way, who has ventured into comics as well. “You don’t have to be a comic book guy to go to a comic book show. You just have to have an interest in having fun,” says McKinney as we leave Hillsborough Street, headed north and east. We take Capital Boulevard completely across town, almost to I-540, where we walk into the Raleigh location of Ultimate Comics, which opened last October. In that new, airy shop, Amanda Wehrwein cheerfully greets customers. A man is here with his toddler, and the child wanders the store with wide-eyed curiosity as his dad buys comics. “It’s a really interesting market up here, because I would say 50% of the people that come in have either never read a comic or have never been in a comic book store before,” Wehrwein says. So she gives customers tours of the store, giving them an easy access point and introducing them to essential terms and concepts. Wehrwein, too, came into this world laterally: her husband is in charge of the volunteers at the NC Comicons, and she initially started working a few days at Ultimate Comics (which has the same owner). Now, she works full-time as assistant manager, which would be her comics-loving husband’s dream job. She’s sure, too, to encourage families to attend the NC Comicons. Many have preconceived notions midtownmag.com | 131

of scantily-dressed cosplayers wandering around in revealing superhero gear. There may be a little of that, Wehrwein admits, but the Comicon is purposefully family-friendly. We cross town again, then, to North Raleigh’s Fight or Flight Comics, where we meet Daniel Foust. He and two business partners opened this store at the Shops at Falls Village two years ago. They’d all worked at Foundation’s Edge in college and immediately after, and they learned the business from owner Rick McGee. They wanted to start their own comics business, but didn’t want to compete directly with their mentor on Hillsborough Street. So they set their sights on North Raleigh. “Right where we are, we’re right in-between five schools,” Foust says. “We have a really strong young reader section, so I’m very pleased with that.” Some of these young readers stick with it and develop their passion for these characters on into adulthood. McKinney gets it – he’s a Godzilla superfan and has figures and statuettes of the Japanese monster decorating his home office. The writer of this story gets it – he’s obsessed with Star Trek and has a serious collection of toy and replica starships at home. Yet the two of us are outliers, McKinney asserts as we cross Raleigh yet again. Most comic fans and nerd culture aficionados go for the whole package. “For the most part, those people who love comic books also love toys,” he says. So for our final stop of the day, we head west, toward the airport. At Crowemag Toys we find Jason Stephens working. He’s surrounded by everything from Star Wars figures and ships to Hot Wheels to vintage 80s Lego sets, and he loves his job.

Raleigh Convention Center WHERE 500 S. Salisbury Street WHEN

March 18-19

HOW

$60 V.I.P. weekend pass $30 weekend pass MUCH? $20 Saturday only $15 Sunday only Kids 9 and under free 132 | midtownmag.com

n c c o m i c o n. c o m / o a k - c i t y

“I’m 37. I played with half this stuff as a kid, so now I get to play with it as an adult,” says Stephens, who collects Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Batman toys. “Every day is fun.” He’s not alone, either: he regularly sees adults come into the store and visibly turn back into children when they see some beloved toy they never thought they would see again – it’s a joyful, and almost innocent sort of nostalgia. “We had the G.I. Joe U.S.S. Flagg come in awhile back, with the box,” Stephens says, thrilled to have encountered the enormous mid-80s toy in the store. “I’ve seen grown men turn into 5-year-olds at Christmas when they look at that again.” The beauty of conventions, McKinney says as we leave, is that you get old school stores, sellers like Crowemag Toys or Foundation’s Edge, right across from newer entities like Ultimate Comics or Fight or Flight, and they exist together in harmony. It’s like a traveling neighborhood, he goes on to say, and many of the dealers who set up on the convention floor have known each other for years.

“Those guys have wares you’re never going to see anywhere else,” McKinney says. “You’re not going to see them online. You’re not going to see them in stores.” And for lovers of comic books, of nerd culture, or even of pop culture in general, conventions are just plain fun, McKinney asserts. The NC Comicon brings creators, artists, celebrities and dealers; it’s filled with elaborately costumed cosplayers, local breweries like Big Boss make comic-themed beer labels, and there are dance parties. And for the people who go deep into the minutiae of these fictional universes, who could easily talk for an hour about the strengths of the fourth and final season of Star Trek: Enterprise, as a certain Midtown writer did in Foundation’s Edge one Tuesday morning in January, conventions and the local comic stores that feed them are a valuable place to find people who know as much about their incredibly specific interests as they do. “That is the great thing about comic book stores and, by osmosis, conventions,” McKinney says.

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M Dining Guide Our directory of where to eat in Raleigh.

African Abyssinia Ethopian Restaurant 2109-146 Avent Ferry Rd. 919.664.8151 abyssiniarestaurant.net

Capital Club 16 6 W. Martin St. 919.747.9345 capitalclub16.com

American

Carroll’s Kitchen 19 E. Martin Street 919.670.3622 carrollskitchen.org

18 Seaboard 18 Seaboard Ave. 919.861.4318 18restaurantgroup.com

Cave 1912 1912 Bernard St. 919.977.3864 cave1912.com

510 Tavern 510 Glenwood Ave. 919.307.4778 510tavern.com

Clockwork 519 W. North St. 919.307.3215 clockworkraleigh.com

b. good Park at North Hills St. 919.916.5410 555 Fayetteville St. 919.803.3233 bgood.com Ba-Da Wings 2161 Avent Ferry Rd. 919.832.3902 badawings.com Berkeley Cafe 217 W. Martin St. 919.322.0127 berkeleycafe.net Bloomsbury Bistro 509-101 W. Whitaker Mill Rd. 919.834.9011 bloomsburybistro.com Busy Bee Cafe 225 S. Wilmington St. 919.424.7817 busybeeraleigh.com Cameron Bar and Grill 2018 Clark Ave. 919.755.2231 cameronbarandgrill.com

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Death & Taxes 105 W. Hargett St. 984.242.0218 ac-restaurants.com/ death-taxes Edwards Mill Bar & Grill 3201 Edwards Mill Rd. 919.783.5447 edwardsmillbarandgrill.com

Grabbagreen 4421 Six Forks Rd #103 919.326.7799 Hayes Barton Cafe 2000 Fairview Rd. 919.856.8551 https://goo.gl/uXrVt7 Iris Restaurant 2110 Blue Ridge Rd. 919.664.6838 ncartmuseum.org/visit/dining

Kings 141 Park at North Hills St. 919.600.5700 kingsbowlamerica.com

Lynnwood Grill & Brewing Concern 4821 Grove Barton Rd. 919.785.0043 lynnwoodgrill.com

Midtown Grille 4421 Six Forks Rd. 919.782.9463 themidtowngrille.com more. 16 N. West St. 919.926.8415 jmrkitchens.com Oak City Meatball Shoppe 180 E. Davie St. 919.714.9014 oakcitymeatball.com

Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern 330 Hillsborough St. 919.829.3663 second-empire.com Stanbury 938 N. Blount St. 919.977.4321 stanburyrestaurant.com Standard Foods 205 E. Franklin St. 919.307.4652 standard-foods.com Taste 3048 Medlin Dr. 919.322.0568 jmrkitchens.com Tazza Kitchen 432 Woodburn Rd. 919.835.9463 tazzakitchen.com the Oak 4035 Lake Boone Tr. 919.787.9100 jmrkitchens.com/oak

The Players’ Retreat 105 Oberlin Rd. 919.755.9589 playersretreat.net

bu•ku 110 E. Davie St. 919.834.6963 bukuraleigh.com

The Raleigh Times Bar 14 E. Hargett St. 919.833.0999 raleightimesbar.com

Chai’s Asian Bistro 8347 Creedmoor Rd. 919.848.8500 chaisasianbistro.com

The Rockford 320 ½ Glenwood Ave. 919.821.9020 therockfordrestaurant.com

Champa Thai & Sushi 8521 Brier Creek Pkwy. 919.806.0078 champathaisushi.com

The Station 701 N. Person St. 919.977.1567 stationraleigh.com

The Twisted Fork 3751 Sumner Blvd. 919.792.2535 thetwistedfork.com Tribeca Tavern 6004 Falls of Neuse Rd. 919.790.9992 tribecatavernnc.com Village Grill 8470 Honeycut Rd. 919.890.5340 villagegrillraleigh.com Zest Cafe & Home Art 8831 Six Forks Rd. 919.848.4792 zestcafehomeart.com

Chopstix 5607 Creedmoor Rd. 919.781.6268 raleighchopstix.com David’s Dumpling & Noodle Bar 1900 Hillsborough St. 919.239.4536 ddandnb.com Five Star Restaurant 511 W. Hargett St. 919.833.3311 heatseekershrimp.com Hako Sushi 2603-155 Glenwood Ave. 919.235.0589 hakosushinc.com Imperial Garden 7713 Lead Mine Rd. 919.846.1988 imperialgardenrestaurant.com

Asian

Kimbap Cafe 111 Seaboard Ave. #118 919.900.8053 kimbapcafe.com

Basan Bull City Sushi 359 Blackwell St. #220 Durham, NC 27701 919.797.9728 basanrestaurant.com

Lemongrass Thai Restaurant 8320 Litchford Rd. #142 919.954.0377 lemongrassthairestaurant.net

Bida Manda 222 S. Blount St. 919.829.9999 bidamanda.com

Mura 4121 Main St. 919.781.7887 muranorthhills.com

Neo-Asia 6602 Glenwood Ave. 919.783.8383 neo-china.com

Thaiphoon Bistro 301 Glenwood Ave. #190 919.720.4034 thaiphoonbistro.com

Ni Asian Kitchen 8817 Six Forks Rd. 919.916.5106 niasiankitchen.com

Waraji Japanese Restaurant 5910 Duraleigh Rd. 919.783.1883 warajijapaneserestaurant.com

Orchid Japanese Restaurant 7432 Creedmoor Rd. 919.890.5345 orchidjapanesebuffet.com

FRENCH

Pho Pho Pho 510 Glenwood Ave. #103 phophophonc.com Pho Far East 4011 Capital Blvd. #133 919.876.8621 Pearl Chinese Restaurant 3215 Avent Ferry Rd. 919.233.8776 pearlchinesenc.com Red Dragon Chinese Restaurant 2513 Fairview Rd. 919.782.1102 reddragonraleigh.com Red Pepper Asian 4121-109 New Bern Ave. 919.594.1006 redpepperasiannc.com Seoul Garden 4701 Atlantic Ave. 919.850.9984 raleighseoulgarden.com ShabaShabu 3080 Wake Forest Rd. 919.501.7755 shabashabu.net Sono 319 Fayetteville St. 919.521.5328 sonoraleigh.com Sushi Blues Cafe 301 Glenwood Ave. 919.664.8061 sushibluescafe.com Sushi O Bistro & Sushi Bar 4361 Lassiter at North Hills Ave. 919.783.8180 springrollsrestaurant.com

Crepe Traditions 141 Park at North Hills St. 919.977.3425 crepetraditions.com Coquette Brasserie 4531 The Circle at North Hills 919.789.0606 coquetteraleigh.com Royale 200 E. Martin Street 919.977.3043 Saint Jacques French Cuisine 6112 Falls of Neuse Rd. 919.862.2770 saintjacquesfrenchcuisine.com Simply Crêpes 8470 Honeycutt Rd. 919.322.2327 simplycrepes.com

German J. Betski’s 10 W. Franklin St. 919.833.7999 jbetskis.com

South American Alpaca Peruvian Charcoal Chicken 4614 Capital Blvd. 919.713.0000 alpacachicken.com Guasaca Arepa & Salsa Grill 4025 Lake Boone Tr. 919.322.4928 guasaca.com Mami Nora’s 2401 Wake Forest Rd. 919.834.8572 maminoras.com

Vinos Finos Tapas and Wine Bar 8450 Honeycutt Rd. 919.747.9233 vinosfinosypicadas.com

southern charm

modern elegance

Mediterranean / Middle Eastern Aladdin’s Eatery 8201 Brier Creek Pkwy. 919.806.5700 aladdinseatery.com Babylon 309 N Dawson St. 919.838.8595 babylonraleigh.com

Fresh Levant Bistro 8450 Honeycutt Rd. 984.200.3999 freshlevant.com

PHOTO: F8 STUDIOS

Jasmin Mediterranean Bistro 424 E Six Forks Rd. 919.743.3336 jasminbistro.com

LET US HOST YOUR NEXT EVENT! 919 850.2340 // 1705PRIME.COM

Mona Pita Mediterranean Grill 5260 Capital Blvd. 919.431.6500 monapita.com

creative cuisine, superior service

Neomonde 3817 Beryl Rd. 919.828.1628 neomonde.com

renowned reputation

Nur Mediterranean Deli & Market 2233 Avent Ferry Rd. 919.828.1523 nurdeli.com Petra Grill 6091 Capital Blvd. 919.599.4959

Sassool 9650 Strickland Rd. 919.847.2700 sassool.com Sitti 137 S. Wilmington St. 919.239.4070 sitti-raleigh.com

PHOTO: KATE POPE

919 850.2340 ROCKYTOPCATERING.COM midtownmag.com | 135

Tarbouch 5645 Creedmoor Rd. 919.239.4408 tarbouch-nc.com

Dos Taquitos 410 Glenwood Ave. 919.835.9010 dostaquitosnorth.com

Torero’s 4721 Atlantic Ave. 919.873.9116 torerosmexicanrestaurants.com

Taverna Agora 326 Hillsborough St. 919.881.8333 tavernaagora.com

El Dorado 2811 Brentwood Rd. 919.872.8440 eldoradomexicanrestaurant.com

Virgil’s Original Taqueria 126 S. Salisbury St. 919.833.3866 facebook.com/virgilstacos

Taza Grill 6325 Falls of Neuse Rd. 919.872.7161 tazagrill.com

El Rodeo 4112 Pleasant Valley Rd. 919.571.1188 elrodeoraleigh.com El Tapatio Restaurante 4511 New Bern Ave. 919.255.9161

Vidrio 500 Glenwood Ave #100 919.803.6033 vidrioraleigh.com

Gonza Tacos Y Tequila 7713 Lead Mine Rd. 919.846.5478 gonzatacosytequila.com

Mexican

Gringo A Go Go 100 N. Person St. 919.977.1438 gringoraleigh.com

Baja Burrito 2109 Avent Ferry Rd. #108 919.834.3431 bajaburrito.net Cafe Capistrano 8471 Garvey Dr. 919.872.1127 cafecapistrano.com Calavera Empanada & Tequila Bar 444 S. Blount St. 919.617.1661 calaveraempanadas.com Cantina 18 433 Daniels St. 919.835.9911 18restaurantgroup.com Centro 106 S. Wilmington St. 919.835.3593 centroraleigh.com Chubby’s Tacos 2444 Wycliff Rd. 919.781.4480 10511 Shadowlawn Dr. 919.846.7044 Chuy’s 4020 Market at North Hills St. 919.571.2489 chuys.com

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Jose and Sons 327 W. Davie St. 919.755.0556 joseandsons.com La Carreta 1028 Oberlin Rd. 919.977.3271 lacarretaavl.com La Rancherita 2400 Hillsborough St. 919.755.9697 rancheritamex.com Los Cuates 4524 Old Wake Forest Rd. 919.872.6012 goo.gl/KHvrQe Los Tres Magueyes 10410 Moncreiffe Rd. 919.484.9258 lostresnc.com San Jose Mexican Restaurant 5811 Poyner Village Pkwy. 919.790.1919 The Original Flying Burrito 4800 Grove Barton Rd. 919.785.2734 originalflyingburrito.com

Indian Azitra 8411 Brier Creek Pkwy. 919.484.3939 azitra.com Garland 14 W. Martin St. 919.833.6886 garlandraleigh.com Godavari 9650 Strickland Rd. 919.847.1984 godavarius.com Indio Restaurant & Lounge 222 Glenwood Ave. 919.322.2760 indioraleigh.com Kabab and Curry 2418 Hillsborough St. 919.977.6974 kababcurryraleigh.com Kadhai the Indian Wok 6260-112 Glenwood Ave. 919.785.2864 theindianexpresskadhai.com

irish Saints & Scholars Irish Pub 909 Spring Forest Rd. 919.878.8828 saintsandscholarspub.com The Hibernian 311 Glenwood Ave. 919.833.2258 8021 Falls Of Neuse Rd. 919.803.0290 hibernianpub.com

Italian Amedeos Italian Restaurant 3905 Western Blvd. 919.851.0473 amedeosrestaurant.com Assaggio Italian Restuarant 3501 W. Millbrook Rd. 919.785.2088 assaggios-nc.com

Gravy 135 S. Wilmington St. 919.896.8513 gravyraleigh.com Jimmy V’s Osteria + Bar 420 Fayetteville St. 919.256.1451 jimmyvsraleigh.com Mia Francesca 4100 Main at North Hills St. 919.278.1525 miafrancescaraleigh.com Nina’s Ristorante 8801 Lead Mine Rd. 919.845.1122 ninasrestaurant.com

Bella Monica 3121 Edwards Mill Rd. 919.881.9778 bellamonica.com

Pulcinella’s Italian Restaurant 4711 Hope Valley Rd. 919.490.1172 pulcinellasitalianrestaurant.com

Bruno Seafood & Steaks 11211 Galleria Ave. 919.435.6640 brunoraleigh.com

Roma Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant 3805 Brentwood Rd. 919.876.2818

Cafe Tiramisu Cafe Tiramisu 6008 Falls of Neuse Rd. 919.790.1006 cafetiramisu.net

Royal India 3901 Capital Blvd. 919.981.0849 royalindiannc.com

Caffé Luna 136 E. Hargett St. 919.832.6090 cafeluna.com

Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine 6611 Falls of Neuse Rd. 919.848.2262 tajmahalindianraleigh.com

Capri Restaurant 6325 Falls of Neuse Rd. 919.878.4424 caprirest.com

The Wild Cook’s Indian Grill 3212 Hillsborough St. 984.232.8530 wildcooksgrill.com

Casa Carbone Ristorante Italiano 6019 Glenwood Ave. 919.781.8750 casacarbone.com

Zayka Indian Cuisine 10410 Moncreiffe Rd. Ste 103 919.361.5370 zaykaraleigh.com

Piccola Italia 423 Woodburn Rd. 919.833.6888 piccolaitalianc.com

Farina Neighborhood Italian 8450 Honeycutt Rd. 919.890.0143 farinaraleigh.com

Tuscan Blu 327 W. Davie St. 919.834.5707 tuscanblu.com Vic’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria 331 Blake St. 919.829.7090 4035 Lake Boone Tr. 984.200.9292 vicsitalianrestaurant.com Vivace 4209 Lassiter Mill Rd. 919.787.7747 vivaceraleigh.com

Caribbean Caribbean Café 2645 E. Millbrook Rd. 919.872.4858 caribbeancafenc.com Jamaican Grille 5500 Atlantic Springs Rd. 919.873.0200

Saltwater Seafood Market and Fry Shack 4 Fenton St. | 919.834.1813 saltwaterseafoodnc.com

Mum’s Jamaican Restaurant 3901 Capital Blvd. 919.615.2332 mumsjamaicanfood.com

The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar 4208 Six Forks Rd. 919.784.0400 thecowfish.com

Tropical Picken Chicken 404 E. Six Forks Rd. 919.703.0661

Southern

BBQ

Bare Bones 301-120 Fayetteville St. 919.825.0995

Big Al’s BBQ 2920 Forestville Rd. 919.217.0653 bigalsbbqandcatering.com

Beasley’s Chicken + Honey 237 S. Wilmington St. 919.322.0127 ac-restaurants.com/beasleys

Clyde Cooper’s BBQ 327 S. Wilmington St. 919.832.7614 clydecoopersbbq.com

Big Ed’s City Market Restaurant 220 Wolfe St. 919.836.9909 bigedscitymarket.com

Ole Time Barbecue 6309 Hillsborough St. 919.859.2544 oletimebarbecue.com

Driftwood Southern Kitchen 8460 Honeycutt Rd. 919.977.8360 driftwoodraleigh.com

The Pit Authentic Barbecue 328 W Davie St. 919.890.4500 thepit-raleigh.com The Q Shack 4120 Main at North Hills St. 919.786.4381 theqshack.com

Seafood 42nd Street Oyster Bar 508 W. Jones St. 919.831.2811 42ndstoysterbar.com Captain Stanley’s Seafood 3333 S. Wilmington St. 919.779.7878 facebook.com/captainstanleys

Thank you Midtown readers for voting us

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2017

Lee’s Kitchen 4638 Capital Blvd. 919.872.7422 leeskitchenjamaican.com

DIAMOND

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vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options locally owned

five points

919.833.0226 downtown durham

lillyspizza.com

919.797.2554

Donovan’s Dish 800 W. Williams St #112 Apex, NC 27502 919.651.8309 donovansdish.com Humble Pie 317 S. Harrington St. 919.829.9222 humblepierestaurant.com Mandolin 2519 Fairview Rd. 919.322.0365 mandolinraleigh.com

NOFO @ the Pig 2014 Fairview Rd. 919.821.1240 nofo.com Dean’s Seafood Grill & Bar 1080 Darrington Dr, Cary 919.459.5875 deansseafoodgrill.com

Pam’s Farmhouse 5111 Western Blvd. 919.859.9990 facebook.com/pamsfarmhouse

Margaux’s Restaurant 8111 Creedmoor Rd. 919.846.9846 margauxsrestaurant.com midtownmag.com | 137

Poole’s Diner 426 S. McDowell St. 919.832.4477 ac-restaurants.com/pooles

Jubala Coffee 8450 Honeycutt Rd. 919.758.8330 jubalacoffee.com

Provenance 120 E. Martin St. 984.269.5211 provenanceraleigh.com

The Morning Times 10 E Hargett St. 919.836.1204 morningtimes-raleigh.com

Relish Café & Bar 5625 Creedmoor Rd. 919.787.1855 relishraleigh.com

New World Cafe 4112 Pleasant Valley Rd. 919.786.0091 newworldcoffeehouse.com

Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen 500 Fayetteville St. 919.227.3370 ryeraleigh.com

Steakhouse

State Farmers’ Market Restaurant 1240 Farmers Market Dr. 919.755.1550 realbiscuits.com Tupelo Honey Cafe 425 Oberlin Rd. 919.723.9353 tupelohoneycafe.com Flying Biscuit Café 2016 Clark Ave. 919.833.6924 flyingbiscuit.com The Mecca Restaurant 13 E. Martin St. 919.832.5714 mecca-restaurant.com The Remedy Diner 137 E. Hargett St. 919.835.3553 theremedydiner.com

Angus Barn 9401 Glenwood Ave. 919.791.2444 angusbarn.com Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse 8551 Brier Creek Pkwy. 919.544.3344 brasasteakhouse.com Sullivan’s Steakhouse 414 Glenwood Ave. 919.833.2888 sullivansteakhouse.com The Capital Grille 4242 Six Forks Rd. 919.787.3901 thecapitalgrille.com

Vinnie’s Steak House and Tavern 7440 Six Forks Rd. 919.847.7319 vinniessteakhouse.com

Breakfast Specialty Another Broken Egg Cafe 160 Park at North Hills St. 919.307.8195 anotherbrokenegg.com Brigs Restaurant 8111 Creedmoor Rd. 919.870.0994 brigs.com First Watch 6320 Capital Blvd. 919.900.8355 firstwatch.com

Eclectic Flights Restaurant & Lounge 4100 Main at North Hills St. 919.571.8773 flightsnorthhills.com ORO Restaurant & Lounge 18 E. Martin St. 919.239.4010 ororaleigh.com Plates Neighborhood Kitchen 301 Glenwood Ave. 919.828.0018 plateskitchen.com

Spanish Latin Quarters 7335 Six Forks Rd. 919.900.8333 new.latinquartersnc.com Tasca Brava 607 Glenwood Ave. 919.828.0840 tascabrava.com

Café Acro Café 11 W. Jones St. 919.707.8057 https://goo.gl/34145J Benelux Coffee 402 Oberlin Rd. 919.900.8294 beneluxcoffee.com Cafe Carolina and Bakery 150 Fayetteville St. 919.834.9117 401 Daniels Street 919.821.7117 cafecarolina.com

Happy + Hale 443 Fayetteville St. 919.307.4148 happyandhale.com

The Pharmacy Cafe 702 N. Person St. 919.832.6432 personstreetrx.com

Living Kitchen 555 Fayetteville St. 919.324.3515 livingkitchen.com

Sunflowers Cafe 8 W. Peace St. 919.833.4676 sunflowersraleigh.com

Raleigh Raw 7 W. Hargett St. 919.400.0944 raleighraw.com

Deli/Sandwhiches

Burger & Hot Dog

The Community Deli 901 Oberlin Rd. 919.896.6810 thecommunitydeli.com

Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar 111 Seaboard Ave. 919.747.9163 baddaddysburgerbar.com

Groucho’s Deli 10 Horne St. 919.977.7747 grouchos.com

Chuck’s 237 S. Wilmington St. 919.322.0126 ac-restaurants.com/chucks

Linus & Pepper’s 126 S. Salisbury St. 919.833.3866

Cloos’ Coney Island 2233 Avent Ferry Rd. 919.834.3354 Jerry’s Grill 813 E. Whitaker Mill Rd. 919.832.7561

Despina’s Café 8369 Creedmoor Rd. 919.848.5007 despinascafe.com

Lunch Box Deli 2816 Trawick Rd. 919.872.7882

Manhattan Cafe 320 S. Wilmington St. 919.833.6105 manhattancafenc.com

McAlister’s Deli 4361 Lassiter at North Hills Ave. 919.787.9543 mcalistersdeli.com

JoCa’s Gourmet Dawgs N’ Shakes 8450 Honeycutt Rd. #112 919.322.1590 jocasgourmet.com

Oakwood Cafe 300 E. Edenton St. 919.828.5994 oakwoodcaferaleigh.com

Poppyseed Market 8801 Lead Mine Rd. 919.870.4997 poppyseedmkt.com

MoJoe’s Burger Joint 620 Glenwood Ave. 919.832.6799 mojoesburgerjoint.com

Seaboard Cafe 707 Semart Dr. 919.821.7553 seaboardcafe.com

Village Deli & Grill 500 Daniels St. 919.828.1428 villagedeli.net

Pharaoh’s Grill at North Hills 4421 Six Forks Rd. 919.420.0840

Vegetarian/Vegan

Snoopy’s Hot Dogs & More 600 Hillsborough St. 919.839.2176 snoopys.com

Sola Coffee 7705 Lead Mine Rd. 919.803.8983 solacoffee.com Sosta Cafe 130 E. Davie St. 919.833.1006 sostacafe.com

The Daily Planet Cafe 121 W. Jones St. 919.707.8060 thedailyplanetcafe.com 138 | midtownmag.com

Devolve Moto 304 Glenwood Ave. 919.803.3257 Devolvemoto.com

Irregardless Cafe & Catering 901 W. Morgan St. 919.833.8898 irregardless.com Fiction Kitchen 428 S. Dawson St. 919.831.4177 thefictionkitchen.com

Pizzeria Cristo’s NY Style Pizza 1302 East Milbrook Rd. 919.872.6797 cristospizza.com

DeMo’s Pizzeria & Deli 222 Glenwood Ave. 919.754.1050 demospizzeriadeli.com Donatos 111 Seaboard Ave. 919.828.5111 donatos.com Frank’s Pizza 2030 New Bern Ave. 919.231.8990 frankspizzainraleigh.com Gino’s Pizza 6260 Glenwood Ave. 919.783.7555 ginospizzaraleigh.com

Lilly’s Pizza 1813 Glenwood Ave. 919.833.0226 lillyspizza.com Moonlight Pizza Company 615 W. Morgan St. 919.755.9133 moonlightpizza.com Pieology Pizzeria 4158 Main at North Hills St. 919.803.5860 3001 Hillsborough St. 919.839.6300 pieology.com Pizza La Stella 219 Fayetteville St. pizzalastella.com Stromboli’s Express 2900 Spring Forest Rd. 919.876.4222 strombolisexpress.com Trophy Brewing & Pizza 827 W. Morgan St. 919.803.4849 trophybrewing.com

Bakery & Desserts Annelore’s German Bakery 1249 Farmers Market Dr. 919.294.8040 facebook.com/ AnneloresGermanBakery Bittersweet 16 E. Martin St. 919.977.3829 bittersweetraleigh.com Boulted Bread 614 W South St. 919.999.3984 boultedbread.com

Edible Art Bakery & Dessert Café 4351-115 The Circle at North Hills 919.856.0604 edibleartnc.com Escazú Artisan Chocolates 936 N. Blount St. 919.832.3433 escazuchocolates.com

city grits at another broken egg cafe

Groovy Duck Bakery 3434 Edwards Mill Rd. 919.787.9233 groovyduckbakeryllc.com Hayes Barton Cafe 2000 Fairview Rd. 919.856.8551 https://goo.gl/2aXSqM lucettegrace 235 S. Salisbury St. 919.307.4950 lucettegrace.com Sugarland 2031 Cameron St. 919.835.2100 facebook.com/ SugarlandRaleigh Yellow Dog Bread Company 219 E. Franklin St. 984.232.0291 facebook.com/ yellowdogbread

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sponsored content

healthy you

The Murphy’s Law Resolution by kenrick spence md, F.A.C.S. forever faces plastic surgery

Many patients ask the question, “What can I do to manage the aging process?” Whether it is after undergoing facial cosmetic surgery or just in general, the answer is we have much more control than we think, and by implementing certain lifestyle changes we can have an effective impact on the aging process. What is done after surgery is just as important as what happens in the operating room. Here are some helpful tips: •

Minimize sun exposure, and for outdoor enthusiasts, have sunscreen on hand prepared to apply every two to three hours.

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Stop smoking: cigarette smoke has over 21 toxins, which contribute to the aging process and impair wound healing.

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Adequate hydration both by mouth and topically – a good moisturizer helps dried, parched skin, which ages more quickly.

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Avoid inflammatory toxins such as excessive amounts of alcohol or sugars. A diet rich in antioxidants is best.

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Exercise and control eating habits to avoid weight fluctuations. Large weight fluctuations can have a significant impact on the aging face.

•

Maintain a low-salt diet for those patients with high blood pressure to avoid fluid retention. Fluid retention makes lower lid and cheek bags look worse. A healthy diet makes for a more beautiful you.

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Understand your skin type. Aggressive detergents and over-the-counter astringents can actually damage the skin, breaking its natural barrier.

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If you have sensitive skin, methodically determine what triggers your sensitivity and modify your diet accordingly; for instance, rosacea may be triggered by alcohol.

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Timely exfoliation of sun-damaged skin and adequate moisturizer and protection from environmental exposure are imperative.

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Ensure injectable and filler appointments after facial surgery are well timed and consistent. Facial rejuvenation adds longevity to facial surgery results.

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The information on this page is provided by the advertiser mentioned above to the public.

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midtownmag.com | 141

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healthy you

What is Gum Disease? BY Hanna M. Zombek, DMD / MidTown Smiles Dental Care

It is a silent disease much like heart disease; one in which when pain or discomfort begin it is often too late. Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease, and there are varying degrees of this condition. When plaque sits at the gum line it irritates the tissues, causing them to become red and inflamed, possibly bleeding when we brush and floss. Gingivitis, or the inflammation of gum tissue, is the initial type of periodontal disease that is considered reversible when addressed early. Gingivitis is treated with a thorough cleaning by a dental professional, and by adjusting home care routines. Additionally, when plaque sits at the gum line and goes untreated then irreversible changes affect the tissues and destroy the bone, ultimately developing into periodontal disease. At this stage the

once protective and strong gums weaken and plaque collects into unhealthy pockets formed around the teeth. If not removed, plaque hardens into calculus and creates an environment in which teeth do not thrive. Early diagnosis is the key. We monitor your periodontal health through a specific exam. Your dentist will use a special measuring instrument to check your gums. During examination we are looking for numbers below 3mm as these are indicators of healthy gums, which you can keep clean with brushing, flossing and regular dental cleanings. Four millimeter pockets are indicators of gingivitis, and 5mm or higher indicate periodontal disease. These areas are too deep for regular cleanings or home care alone. Deeper cleaning is required to clean the calculus and bacteria out of these

deeper pockets. More frequent follow-up appointments will also be required. Often this disease gets overlooked by patients because nothing is bothering them. Knowing the signs or symptoms will aide in your early detection. If your teeth are loose, your gums are tender, red or swollen, or if they bleed when you brush or floss, you are experiencing warning signs for this silent disease. Bad breath and changes in bite are also signs. Ignoring these symptoms could cost you your teeth. Call your dentist and request a check-up and periodontal screening if you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, or if you simply havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen your dentist within the last six months. It is the only way to get screened for periodontal disease. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss the opportunity to save your teeth and head this disease off at the pass.

The information on this page is provided by the advertiser mentioned above to the public.

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healthy you

Size Matters

finding the right bra for your body BY ruth dowdy, bra patch

When thinking about a bra, you might wonder…Why do women actually wear them? They aren’t just for looks. Not having the proper support can lead to serious neck, shoulder and back pain. Even in small women, if the breast tissue is not properly supported it puts a lot of tension and strain on the body. When exercising, particularly with high-impact workouts or running, it is especially important to wear a bra that contains the breasts and reduces movement in a manner that they aren’t bouncing up and down while running or jumping. The bouncing can be

very painful and cause the Cooper’s ligaments, which is the connective tissue between the breast and the pectoral muscle – to stretch out and lose strength. Once the Cooper’s ligaments are stretched out it causes the breasts to sag or droop. Those connective tissues do not repair themselves. Other factors such as pregnancy, weight gain, smoking, age and genetics all play a role in the irreversible stretching of the Cooper’s ligaments. During pregnancy and while breastfeeding, when the breasts increase in size and weight, wearing a supportive bra can help to prevent the stretching of ligaments and

preserve the shape of the breasts. Finding a proper fitting bra is essential. The majority of the support should come from the band of the bra, not from tightening up the straps. Since there is no standardization in bra sizing, it is more important than ever to have a professional bra fitting. Most women don’t realize that a lot of aches, discomfort and nuisance associated with wearing a bra are due to the fact that they are wearing the wrong size or the wrong type of bra for their body. Every woman’s body is unique and what works well for one woman doesn’t necessarily work for another woman of the same size.

The information on this page is provided by the advertiser mentioned above to the public.

144 | midtownmag.com

healthy you

sponsored content

Defying Age & Enhancing Beauty Through Dentistry by Justin M. Russo, DDS Russo DDS Raleigh

Let’s face it, your smile says a lot about you. It’s an imperative part of total body health, yet one that often gets overlooked. Many people want to attain their idea of beauty, but don’t know where to start – and they certainly don’t think of their smile first. I once heard someone say that the human face is made up of the most expensive bits of real estate in the world – and they were right. It’s why a multi-billion dollar skincare industry exists to maintain flawless skin, and many times, a youthful appearance. But have you ever considered how your smile plays into the aging process? After all of the daily wear and tear and the plethora of foods, coffees, wines and drinks you consume, your smile ultimately ages faster than the rest of your face. Let that sink in.

Collagen breakdown It’s a natural occurrence and one that we’re most familiar with. As we age, the face’s natural collagen begins to break down, causing a ‘droopiness’ or ‘thinness’ in the upper lip and, as a result, less of your teeth are visible when speaking or smiling. Staining Teeth discoloration surprisingly isn’t a sole product of what we eat or drink. As we age, the outer coating of the tooth, the enamel, begins to wear away and get thinner, thus showing the

darker under layer of your teeth, called dentin. As a result, the natural light projects through your enamel and your teeth appear darker. Thinning/Chipping It’s inevitable. Years of chewing and/or clenching will cause the edges of your teeth to thin and chip, ultimately causing your teeth to get shorter as a result. As your teeth get shorter you will have less support for the soft tissues around your face, enhancing the appearance of wrinkles and the aging process.

The good news? Reversing the aging effects of your smile is easy, effective and in almost all cases, permanent. By using a dentist that specializes in dental health, cosmetics and anti-aging dentistry it will allow for proper analysis of your facial features, personality and chewing cycle; and while that may seem drastic, by analyzing these features you’re able to fixed asymmetries, natural wear and color resulting in reversal to the effects of collagen breakdown. The end result? A beautiful smile restoring the upper teeth’s appearance and less wrinkles in the lips and surrounding tissues. In other words, a more permanent solution to looking younger and feeling more confident. When it comes to anti-aging, think outside the (wrinkle cream) box. You’ll be glad you did.

The information on this page is provided by the advertiser mentioned above to the public.

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coming up in the next

Midtown Magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10th anniversary More Locally Made things we love Raleigh 10 Years Ago and 10 years from now SPECIAL ADVERTISING

faces of ralegh

midtownmag.com | 147

Enjoy plenty of fresh specials popping up all over our channels from member-supported UNC-TV.

Tom Jones: A Soundstage Special Event

Hamilton’s America

‘70s Soul Superstars (Patti LaBelle)

Patsy Cline: American Masters

Gregory Porter— Live in Berlin

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Public Media North Carolina

OUT ABOUT &

march/april Calendar of events | Midtown Mingles | New Around Town

vivaldiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s four seasons

March 9th-26th

A celebration of natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enduring cycle performed by the Carolina Ballet and choreographed by Robert Weiss, this work returns by popular demand just three years after its sold-out premiere run. Photo by Armes Photography. Fletcher Opera Theater Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts 2 E. South St, Raleigh carolinaballet.com

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calendar ofevents First Friday March 3rd, 6-9pm Produced by the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, this free, self-guided tour provides a view into Downtown’s cutting-edge cultural hot spots. Local art galleries, art studios, alternative art venues and museums stay open late the first Friday of every month to welcome thousands of art-seeking enthusiasts. Downtown, Raleigh https://goo.gl/U43wfQ Meals on Wheels of Wake County Mardi Gras Ball March 3rd, 7-11pm Plan to attend the Triangle’s premiere Mardi Gras Ball to benefit Meals on Wheels of Wake County. You will enjoy dancing to the music of The Embers, live and silent auctions, Cajun cuisine and more. Tickets are $150 per person and $1,500 for a table of ten. Call 919.833.1749 for more information and to purchase tickets. 4500 Marriott Dr, Raleigh wakemow.org Glory of Venice: Renaissance Paintings 1470-1520 March 4th-June 18th Come see the South’s first exhibition surveying the development of Renaissance painting in Venice from the second half of the 1400s to the early 1500s. The exhibition explores the city’s artistic and cultural evolution as it developed into an internationally recognized center of pictorial excellence. Glory of Venice features approximately 50 works, including major altarpieces, private secular and devotional paintings, and portraits. NCMA, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh ncartmuseum.org/calendar NCMA Presents Sights and Sounds on Sundays March 5th, 3-6pm Cello Fourum brings together four masters of the instrument to perform a diverse program, including selections by Bach, Rossini, Faure and Humperdinck. David Meyer, Ping Li and Nathaniel Yaffe are affiliated with the North Carolina Symphony. Mark Moskovitz is principal cellist of the Ohiobased ProMusica Chamber Orchestra. One of the few professional cello quartets in the country, Cello Fourum delights in performing a diverse repertoire of classics and original compositions to please every taste. NCMA, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh ncartmuseum.org/calendar

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Toast to the Triangle March 5th, 6-8:30pm The 31st annual Toast to the Triangle event will take place on Sunday, March 5th at the McKimmon Center. The event will feature 40 of the Triangle’s top restaurants, wineries, and breweries competing to become your favorite flavor of the night. Tickets are $80 for individuals or $150/pair, and proceeds will benefit the Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities. 1101 Gorman St, Raleigh toasttothetriangle.org Sola Hot Mini 5K 2017 March 11th, 8:30am It’s that time again for the 4th Annual Sola Hot Mini 5K! Walk, run/walk, or run with neighbors and friends in support of the US Military Veterans Foundation. For those unable to run or walk, volunteering is another great way to participate and help support our veterans. 7705 Lead Mine Rd, Raleigh https://goo.gl/EhCvk2 Raleigh St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival March 11th, 10am-6:30pm The Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is headed back to Downtown! In its 35th year, the parade will once again bring its merry brand of Irish culture through Wilmington, Fayetteville and Salisbury streets. Once the parade ends, the Festival begins! The Wearin’ ‘O the Green Festival is held on City Plaza at the south end of Fayetteville Street. There will be lots of live music, food, refreshments, dancing, leprechauns, Irish craft booths and more! Downtown, Raleigh raleighstpats.org

The Nile Project March 15th-21st, times vary Founded in 2011 by Egyptian ethnomusicologist Mina Girgis and Ethiopian-American singer Meklit Hadero, The Nile Project is one of the tightest cross-cultural musical collaborations in history. This collective is made up of musicians from all along the great river that connects 11 countries and over 400 million people – a region marred by political and ecological conflicts. Using music as a springboard, The Nile Project inspires, educates, and empowers stakeholders to collectively work towards the sustainability of their shared ecosystem. And they play extraordinary music! NCSU Stewart Theatre, Raleigh https://goo.gl/CUCcvK North Carolina Modernist Homes T4A March 16th, 6-8pm BeyondBlue Interiors hosts one of NCMH’s monthly Thirst for Architecture events. Share in great food, wine + beer, and socialize with like-minded souls who are interested in great architecture and modern furniture! 4350 Lassiter at North Hills Ave Suite 102, Raleigh beyondblueinteriors.com Wine Walk March 16th, April 20th, 6-8pm On the Third Thursday of each month, visit Lafayette Village for a Wine Walk in support of a local charity. Participating merchants will be offering free wine tastings at their business from 6-8pm. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through our shops and restaurants – a great way to see

Have an Important Event? We would love to hear about it. Log on to our website and send us the details. We may feature it in our next issue.

a toast to the triangle March 5th | 6-8:30pm

all the Village has to offer and taste some fabulous wines. The fee to participate is $10, with proceeds going to the featured charity. 8450 Honeycutt Rd, Raleigh lafayettevillageraleigh.com

The McKimmon Center 1101 Gorman St, Raleigh toasttothetriangle.org

Kidz Stuff Consignment Sale March 16th-18th Get great bargains on gently used kids’ clothing, toys, furniture, baby equipment and more at the Kidz Stuff Consignment Sale. If a child can wear it or use it, we’ll have it! Consign, volunteer or donate, and be the first to shop Thursday, March 16th from 5:30-7pm. Open to public 7-8:30pm. Extended hours on Friday, March 17th, 9am-7pm. Half-priced sale (marked items) Saturday, March 18th, 8am-12pm. Proceeds benefit children’s ministries. Hayes Barton Baptist Church 1800 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh hbbc.org/kidzstuff Raleigh LGBT Game Night March 17th, April 21st, 7:30-11pm Always held on the third Friday of each month, Raleigh Game Night is free and open to all ages. This is a smokefree, alcohol-free social event. If you enjoy playing board games and card games in a relaxed, fun atmosphere, then this is the place for you! 324 South Harrington St, Raleigh lgbtcenterofraleigh.com/events

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Midtown Farmers’ Market April 15th, 22nd, 29th | 8am-noon

Local farm-fresh produce, meats, seafood, cheeses, baked goods, and other specialty foods and crafts. North Hills Commons, Raleigh midtownfarmers.com photo courtesy of north hills

2017 CDF Shamrock Gala March 18th, 6-10pm Mark your calendars to attend the Carolina Dance Foundation’s second annual Fundraising Community Gala on Saturday, March 18th at Artspace – Downtown Raleigh. Enjoy a great night out with CDF families, supporters, alumni and directors as we raise money to support our outreach programs. You’ll be treated to live music, hors d’oeuvres, beer/wine, and a live auction! 201 E. Davie St, Raleigh carolinadancefoundation.org/events/gala Celtic Woman: Voices of Angels March 23rd, 7pm Multi-platinum international music sensation and 2017 Grammy® Nominee Celtic Woman returns with their all-new tour, Voices of Angels. The tour showcases the angelic voices of Susan McFadden, Mairéad Carlin and Éabha McMahon and introduces the breathtaking new Celtic violinist Tara McNeill. Featuring many songs from their Voices of Angels album, this inspiring live concert experience features all-new stage designs, stunning

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wardrobes, superb choreography and magnificent arrangements of timeless Irish traditional and contemporary standards in the group’s award-winning signature style. DPAC, 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all North Raleigh Rotary Club’s 3rd Annual Casino Night March 25th, 7pm The Rotary Club of North Raleigh is holding its third annual Casino Night to raise funds for its many charities. Held at North Carolina State University Club. 4200 Hillsborough St, Raleigh For ticket information, go to northraleighrotary.org Wellness Wednesdays March 29th, April 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, 6:30pm Every Wednesday get your fit on in Midtown Park and try the best and newest fitness classes in town for FREE! 4011 Cardinal at North Hills St, Raleigh visitnorthhills.com

Art in Bloom March 30th-April 2nd The Museum’s third annual festival of flowers returns Thursday, March 30th. Art in Bloom features over 50 floral interpretations of art in the Museum’s permanent collection. During the four-day festival you may be inspired to take in a presentation, attend a workshop, or find just the right gift in the Museum Store. You’ll have a chance to explore the floral concoctions at Sip and Iris, and to vote for your favorite design. NCMA, 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh ncartmuseum.org/calendar World Beer Festival April 1st, noon-4pm and 6-10pm Twelve years of the best in beers. With a World Beer Festival ticket, you get a tasting glass with unlimited fourounce pours from over 250 of the finest beers, access to the Art of Beer Experience for beer ingredient samplings, pairings, educational seminars, brewery descriptions and more! Or upgrade to a VIP ticket for an even better experience.

Tickets can be purchased online: general admission $45 in advance, $55 day of; VIP tickets $90. North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh allaboutbeer.com Earth, Wind & Fire April 1st, 8pm America’s seventh top-selling musical group of alltime, Earth, Wind & Fire is coming to DPAC on April 1st. Their music unites genres of funk, R&B, synthesized soul and gospel, and their message of love brings together fans of every generation. Don’t miss the opportunity to see them when they return to DPAC for the second time. 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all First Friday April 7th, 6-9pm Produced by the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, this free, self-guided tour provides a view into Downtown’s cutting-edge cultural hot spots. Local art galleries, art studios, alternative art venues and museums stay open late the first Friday of every month to welcome thousands of art-seeking enthusiasts. Downtown, Raleigh https://goo.gl/U43wfQ 2017 Raleigh Tour de Brew April 8th, 10:30am This year the Tour de Brew is partnering with Oaks & Spokes and Water for Good. All proceeds from this year’s event will be split between these two organizations to promote a sustainable cycling culture here in Raleigh and to provide clean water access for the people of the Central African Republic. Sign up today and start fundraising for your ride! 319 W. Davie St, Raleigh https://goo.gl/SBp3Ic Southern Ideal Home Show April 7th-9th Admission: $10; children 15 and under free with an adult; 55+ Day: Friday, April 7th, $7. Hero Day: Friday, April 8th, free admission with active and valid military, police, fire or EMT ID. Advance discount tickets available at participating Walgreens locations. North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh southernidealhomeshow.com BrickUniverse LEGO® Fan Expo April 8th-9th, 9am-1pm & 2-6pm Release the builder within at BrickUniverse Raleigh, the ultimate LEGO lover’s paradise. Choose from

Saturday or Sunday admission, and experience hands-on LEGO attractions and activities built to inspire, educate, and entertain. This fun, family-friendly event will have tons of amazing LEGO creations to gawk at, building zones to unleash your creative energy, and amazing guest speakers in the LEGO theater. Vendors will be selling the latest LEGO sets, minifigures and accessories. 500 S. Salisbury St, Raleigh brickuniverse.org Jesus Christ Superstar April 11th-16th Come see the greatest rock opera ever created! This production has enthralled audiences since its historic Broadway opening in 1971. Propelled by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stirring score, by turns driving and majestic, satirical and tender, Jesus Christ Superstar illuminates the transcendent power of human spirit with a passion that goes straight to the heart. Produced by North Carolina Theatre, playing at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. 2 E. South St, Raleigh nctheatre.com Midtown Farmers’ Market April 15th, 22nd, 29th, 8am-noon Midtown Farmers’ Market will begin its tenth season on Saturday, April 15th, and will continue through Saturday, November 4th. This lively neighborhood market, located in the heart of Midtown, is run by Midtown Events and sponsored by Duke Raleigh Hospital. The Market features 45+ vendors selling local farmfresh produce, meats, seafood, cheeses, baked goods, and other specialty foods and crafts. North Hills Commons, Raleigh midtownfarmers.com French Market & Seafood Festival April 15th, 11am-3pm Visit New Orleans – in Raleigh! Enjoy the jazzy sounds as you stroll through the Village for a French Quarter-inspired experience and enjoy shopping in the Village shops. Get a glimpse of the artists in action as they paint, draw, and design masterpieces in the corridors of the Village. Of course it wouldn’t be New Orleans without tasty seafood – from crawfish to shrimp, the food will be plentiful and the beer will be flowing. 8450 Honeycutt Rd, Raleigh lafayettevillageraleigh.com

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southern women’s show April 21st-23rd

North Carolina State Fairgrounds Photo by HardyEventPhoto.com

Midtown Beach Music Series April 20th, 27th, 6pm This beloved series will kick off on Thursday, April 20th and continue through August 17th. Now in its tenth season, the Thursday evening series is popular with event-goers from around North Carolina, with over 125,000 guests coming to hear the tunes over the course of its 17-week season. The series offers the best of beach music on warm summer nights and features shag dancing, a time-honored tradition in the South. One of the few local free concerts available to the public, this event is perfect for those looking for a fun night out! 4160 Main St, Raleigh visitnorthhills.com Beethoven’s Ninth – North Carolina Symphony Classical Series April 20th-22nd, times vary The North Carolina Master Chorale and guest soloists join forces with Grant Llewellyn and the Symphony to fill Meymandi Concert Hall with the epic power and timeless message of Beethoven’s last symphony and the Ode to Joy. 2 E. South St, Raleigh dukeenergycenterraleigh.com Southern Women’s Show April 21st-23rd The Southern Women’s Show is the premier weekend-long event for women in the Triangle community, and attracts tens of thousands of guests each year. It features celebrity guests, shopping, and workshops on food, fashion, beauty, health and fitness, business, education, home, travel and more. North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh southernshows.com/wra 154 | midtownmag.com

Brewgaloo April 21st, 6-10pm April 22nd, 2-10pm Brewgaloo, presented by Shop Local Raleigh, is the largest North Carolina craft beer festival featuring NC Beer, food trucks, live music and more. Beer is sampled by the glass or the pour. This event will bring together over 20,000 fans to celebrate the love of craft beer, live music, and localism. 400 Fayetteville St, Raleigh shoplocalraleigh.org/brewgaloo

the 1-mile run, the entry fees are $15 (on or before April 8th) and $20 after April 8th up to and including race day, and the fee for the Kid’s Dash is $5 with no late fees. Proceeds from the event will benefit Trinity Academy of Raleigh. 10224 Baileywick Rd, Raleigh secondempireseries.com

Second Empire 5K Classic April 22nd, 9am The Second Empire 5K Classic is part of the Second Empire 2017 Grand Prix Series. Runners who participate in these races accumulate points and are awarded prizes at an awards banquet held at the Second Empire Restaurant at the conclusion of the Series. The morning begins with the start of the mile at 9am followed by the 5K at 9:30am and the Kid’s Dash at 10:30am. The entry fees are $25 for the 5K if received on or before April 8th. For

The Golden Gala – Together We Are Golden April 22nd, 7-10pm This year “The Golden Gala – Together We Are Golden” will be a wonderful event at the fabulous Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh. Come join us as we celebrate the work we are doing for our Goldens and Golden-Hearted dogs – Rescue, Rehab, Adopt. 11 W. Jones St, Raleigh goldenrescuenc.org

ncma presents

sights & sounds on sundays April 23rd | 3-6pm

North Carolina Museum of Art | 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh

photo courtesy of ncma

RACE: Are We So Different? Exhibition opens April 22nd What does the word “race” mean to you? This exhibition looks at race through the lens of science, history, and personal experiences to promote a better understanding of human variation. Interactive exhibit components, historical artifacts, iconic objects, compelling photographs, multimedia presentations and attractive graphic displays offer visitors to RACE an eye-opening look at its important subject matter. 11 W. Jones St, Raleigh naturalsciences.org/exhibits/featuredexhibitions/race NCMA Presents Sights & Sounds on Sundays April 23rd, 3-6pm Raleigh Camerata performs chamber music from the Renaissance through early classical periods on period instruments of the type used in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. The ensemble is led by

Kelly Nivison Roudabush, traverso; Allison Willet, baroque violin; Salome Sandoval, soprano and lute; Chris Nunnally, baroque cello; and Jennifer Streeter, harpsichord. 2110 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh ncartmuseum.org/calendar Trevor Noah April 28th, 7:30pm & 10pm Trevor Noah, the host of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning program The Daily Show on Comedy Central is coming to DPAC on Friday, April 28th. Come see his unique take on world politics, and American culture. Trevor had his US television debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and has also appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, becoming the first South African stand-up comedian to appear on either late night show. His Showtime comedy special, Trevor Noah: African American premiered in 2013, and he took over for Jon Stewart on The Daily Show. DPAC, 123 Vivian St, Durham dpacnc.com/events/all

Midtown Music Fest April 29th, 2-9:30pm This event will feature all things Raleigh – food trucks, vendors, craft beer, and fantastic live music. Come out to Midtown Park to grab some food, crack open a beer, and listen to some great tunes! 4011 Cardinal at North Hills St, Raleigh visitnorthhills.com 2017 JDRF Triangle Hope Gala April 29th, 6pm Rockin’ for research at the 2017 JDRF Triangle Hope Gala! The receptions begins at 6pm with cocktails, a silent auction, and a super silent auction. The program starts at 7:30pm with a gourmet dinner and wine, live auction, and the Living and Giving Award presentation to the 2017 honorees. Tickets are $250, and sponsorship opportunities are also available. North Ridge Country Club, Raleigh www.jdrf.org/triangle/events/hope-gala/

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midtownmingles

photo by elizabeth holdsclaw

a night out

beer & chocolate pairing

Richardson Private Wealth Advisors and guests enjoyed an evening of painting at Wine & Design.

On February 10th Avenue des Chocolats and Neuse River Brewing Company joined to host a pre-Valentine’s beer and chocolate pairing event.

lee loves local event at beyond blue interiors

the glosserie’s first bridal show

Guests enjoyed thirty percent off Lee Industries. Kantu, the dog ambassador who came from the Wake County SPCA, is searching for his new home! 156 | midtownmag.com

Held on February 7th, Davis & Pyle Plastic Surgery and Skin Raleigh enjoyed guiding brides-to-be towards the best skin and body options. Skin Raleigh’s expert injectors performed live Botox® demonstrations alongside CoolSculpting® assessments and skincare evaluations for a complete wedding-prep package.

hargett place designers’ reception

The Hargett Place team kicked off its 2017 Designer Showcase Home event with a designers’ reception. For tickets to the open house events and the benefit preview party go to hargettplace.com/ShowcaseHome/.

quail ridge book readings

Top: Children’s author Ali Standish, shown here with her husband and parents, launches her middle grade novel The Ethan I Was Before. Bottom: First Lady Cooper reads to the children during the Wake Up And Read book drive kickoff.

rocky top hospitality’s new year’s eve gala

What an evening! Over 1,000 guests rang in the new year in style at the NYE Gala at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh.

triangle wine experience grand gala & auction

On February 4th the Grand Gala & Auction benefitted the children of the Frankie Lemmon School. Acclaimed winemakers, talented chefs and generous supporters celebrated a night of philanthropy that continues to build a community of love. midtownmag.com| 157

2017 diamond awards

On Thursday, January 12th, Midtown Magazine hosted its ninth annual Diamond Awards party at Kings Bowl Raleigh in North Hills to announce the Best of Raleigh for 2017. The celebration included delicious food, drinks from Kings, and music from SPIN NC. Throughout the night guests were treated to a wide assortment of giveaways courtesy of local area businesses. Thanks to everyone who made it out, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re already looking forward to 2018! Photography by Davies Photography

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new aroundtown CycleBar 100-108 Park at North Hills Street visitnorthhills.com/location/cyclebar The premium indoor cycling studio is opening its second studio in Raleigh, with a new home at North Hills.

Copper Penny 4120-115 Main at North Hills Street shopcopperpenny.com/raleigh/ Founder Penny Vaigneur brings her distinct Charleston style to Raleigh! With a Southern, cosmopolitan flair, a sense of sophistication runs throughout the store’s pieces – from its designer clothing to its footwear and accessories.

4120-100, Main at North Hills Street martasofraleigh.com Women’s clothing newcomer, Marta’s, sets the standard for a luxury shopping experience in the South with exceptional customer service and one-of-a-kind selection of designer brands.

southern first bank 5420 Wade Park Boulevard 877.679.9646 | southernfirst.com

kendra scott 4321 Lassiter at North Hills Avenue, Suite F100 KendraScott.com Kendra Scott offers jewelry, home decor, gifts and beauty – from decorative trays to nail polish, earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more.

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ONE OF THE COUNTRYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LONGEST RUNNING CHICKEN TOURS

2017

SHOW OFF YOUR COOP MEET GREAT PEOPLE HELP THOSE IN NEED DIAMOND

AWARD BEST CAKES/SWEETS

Photography: Bartosz Potocki

everydayplaces

One of the best places to live in wake county couldn’t be built today Watercolor and Text by Frank Harmon, FAIA

ABOUT Everyday Places takes a close look at Raleigh’s urban fabric and its under-appreciated areas that are essential to a healthy city.

The Circle is a loop of 60 houses built on a hillside street off Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh. Known for its progressive dinners and Halloween parades, it’s one of the most soughtafter places to live in Wake County.

Wake County is growing by 64 new residents a day and most of them will live in monocultures of three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath suburban homes or stick-built five-story apartments wrapped around parking structures.

Nearly 100 years old now, what does The Circle have to teach us?

Wouldn’t it be better to encourage inclusive development like The Circle, accommodating college students and retired people, parents and children in houses with front porches and quiet traffic?

Originally, The Circle was a 1920s streetcar suburb, which resulted in a very democratic neighborhood: Butchers and bakers lived sideby-side with physicians and insurance agents. The houses were just as diverse. A craftsman bungalow sat quietly across from a two-story Tudor, which overlooked a colonial duplex.

If you think yes, get in touch with your local City Council representative because, ironically, The Circle couldn’t be built under current zoning laws.

Today young families primarily populate The Circle, where children play happily in the street, watched over by parents from front porches. Online: Visit the archive at NativePlaces.org 162 | midtownmag.com

Christopher Designs

Photography: Bartosz Potocki

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