Midtown Magazine

2014

private school

The must-have trends and

e gugeid 88 pa

styles

page 114

for

fall 2014

se pt e mb e r /oc t ober

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+Fall’s furry friends page 62

a note FROM the publisher

Publisher/Editor Jill Futch Advertising Sales Jill Futch | Julie Shaw | Charis Painter Creative Director Travis Aptt Graphic Design Jennifer Casey

jill futch

Publisher/Editor

Your opinions matter to us. Let us know what you think of this issue of Midtown Magazine.

Please email jill@midtownmag.com with your comments.

6 | midtownmag.com

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.

10 top

for the summer of

2010

the most spectacular

AT NIGHT THE MUSEUM

Fall

THE NEW NIGHTLIFE

INSANE

FASHIONS

MALE BONDING

PAcking

WORKING OUT AND STAYING FIT WITH FRIENDS

the

perfect lunch

FASHION

it’s that time of year

BOLD & COLORFUL SPRING IS HERE!

Football

2012

J U LY / A U G U S T

M A R C H / A P R I L

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tailgating tips • apps • recipes

september/october

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2012

2/22/12 8:29 PM

GRILLING, SK YDIVING, BEER, APPS, MUSIC, MOVIES & MORE!

Diamond

AWARDS 2012

FooD tRuCKS

the what’s with new craze?

STEPPING OUTSIDE

YouR CoMFoRt ZoNe

MENS’

guiDe to VALeNtiNe’S DAY J A N U A RY / f e b R U A RY

PLUS

Adding ContemporAry touChes to your trAditionAl home

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THE spring MODERN MIDTOWN ST YLE MAN? FASHION WHO IS

iphone VERSUS droid S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R

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M AY / J U N E

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jill

Distribution Manager Jeff Prince

P.

I know you’ll be inspired by the personal story of fitness instructor JoJo Polk on page 132.

And turn to page 135 to find your motivation for the Get Moving Midtown event, with proceeds going to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wake County.

Just in time for Halloween, you’ll find some fun and clever costumes on page 126. We’ll help you elevate the art of disguise and skip the pre-packaged costumes with a bit of creative inspiration.

Enjoy this Midtown, enjoy your festive, fabulous fall, and please pass along your thoughts and suggestions. We love hearing from you!

UT -O NG LL DI PU ED DE W UI G

Even with our unusually mild summer, I can’t help but feel a tingle of excitement knowing fall is upon us! I am a huge fan of college football, and I can’t wait to pull on my favorite pair of cozy jeans, so I have to say this is definitely my favorite time of year.

In this issue, we reprise a couple of past favorites – the second annual independent school guide on page 88, and our fall fashion feature on page 114. We also talk to homebuilders on page 100 to find out what we can expect to see in this year’s Parade of Homes entries.

Beginning on page 62, we turn to the furry family members that make our lives so rich and full of joy – our pets. I understand the obsession! In fact, you may have seen me driving around town with my 155-pound, six-year-old Newfoundland, Bigley. He is – literally – a big part of our family.

Photography Sean Junqueira Photography Davies Photography

FALL

Fall’s Furry Friends

Contributing Writers Christa Gala | Kate Turgeon Watson Dan Bain | Illyse Lane | Jenni Hart Page Leggett | Kurt Dusterberg Dave Droschak | Elie Rossetti-Serraino Darcy Brennan-Huante | Kristen Mullen, LE Katlyn Forbes, LE | Dr. Danielle Wellman Anna Churchill

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8/26/10 11:29:18 AM

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Subscriptions 6 print issues (1 year) only $20 Available online via paypal ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 4818 Six Forks Road, Suite 204 Raleigh, NC 27609 Phone 919.782.4710, Fax 919.782.4763 www.midtownmag.com

contents s eptem ber/ october

2014

features 62 fall’s furry friends

Our complete guide to pets has everything you could ask for – even YOUR photos!

84 Destination: College

Applying to college isn’t what it used to be.

So what’s a kid to do? And as a parent, what can you do to help?

We’ve teamed up with some of the premier independent schools in the area to help you begin the research process.

How do we really live in our homes today?

We gathered up a few of our readers’ submissions to share with you. Here’s to inspiration, creativity and – most of all – the all-important act of planning.

88 private school guide

Staying home just keeps 100

getting better

Best Halloween Costume Ever 126

135

get Moving for the Boys & Girls Get Moving Midtown will also get things going for the over 4,000 kids served by the Wake County Boys and Girls Clubs.

Prevention is the Best Medicine 148

A Duke Raleigh Hospital oncologist talks about what we can do to minimize our risk of getting cancer.

114

fall fashion

The must-have trends and styles for fall 2014!

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contents s eptem ber/ october

20 14

departments 22 on the scene 32 Midtown reviews 42 ask elie 44 bain’s beat 46 beauty style 54 DIY Workshop 56 financial focus 58 raising the bar 60 scare yourself 109 yourhome: bathroom 112 calendar 142 midtown downtown 152 healthy you 159 midtown mingles 162 do this better

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chef mario 20 | midtownmag.com

ON THE[SCENE] >>>TASTE

by Kate Turgeon Watson

photography by sean junqueira

bloody sunday Tomato juice. Spice.

And everything’s nice?

Sure seems that way for Raleigh’s brunch crowd. It’s a Sunday afternoon and North Hills is aflutter with families having lunch, wedding guests retelling stories from the evening before and people enjoying the type of lazy afternoon that songs are written about.

For some, the star of that restorative Sunday show is the Bloody Mary cocktail.

“The good thing about Bloody Marys is you can make them diverse, or you can make them simple,” Anthony Sendelback, assistant general manager of Mia Francesca Trattoria, explains.

Visit www.midtown.com for an at-home, no-shakerrequired Bloody Mary recipe from Adam Martin.

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At Mia Francesca (pictured above), the vodka-andtomato-juice drink comes in its classic form, and it’s served in a Mason jar with garnish: celery stalk, bacon, lime, Calabrian chile and green olives stuffed with blue cheese. Notice tiny flecks in your glass? That’s horseradish, which is just one ingredient alongside sea salt, ground pepper, chile flakes, Tabasco sauce and celery salt.

But the North Hills eatery goes beyond the classic.

It’s introducing about six new Bloody Mary cocktails to its menu, Sendelback says. Look for the Fisherman’s Blood (think clamato juice), Manhattan Bagel (martini inspired, and without tomato juice) and the Chi-town Bloody Mary.

A few storefronts and one common area away, the Fox and Hound Sports Tavern serves up Bloody Mary cocktails, too. And Sunday brings the Bloody Mary bar and its table of garnishes from carrot sticks and okra pickles to breadsticks and pepperoni.

Bartender Adam Martin serves the Bloody Mary cocktail (pictured left) in a 14-ounce rocks glass, using the house mix – Zing Zang. For the rim of the glass, he says customers often choose salt, Old Bay or Lawry’s seasoned salt.

“I like mine a little spicier, with ground, fresh black pepper,” he says about the Bloody Mary, adding that the drink may be prepared according to almost anyone’s taste.

Want to mix beer with your Bloody? Fox and Hound has a cocktail served in an oversized martini glass that features a Bloody Mary and a small Corona, or Coronita, beer.

ON THE[SCENE] >>>tech photography © eyenimal.com

Pets Go GoPro Eyenimal® Puts You Behind Your Pet’s Eyes Ever wish you could see the world as your pet does? French company Eyenimal® – designer of various high-tech accessories for cats and dogs – makes it possible. “Our products are meant to be daring and visionary,” the company boasts on its website, and its flagship Petcam makes good on that claim.

Billed as “the world’s first video cam for pets,” Petcam is the animal equivalent of GoPro – a wearable video camera that shows the viewer everything the wearer sees. Lightweight and easy to use, Petcam clocks in at little more than 1.2 ounces, attaches easily to a dog’s or cat’s collar, records up to 4GB of video and audio at a time, and has a battery life of two and a half hours. That’s plenty of time to capture a pet’s adventure as it roams, before downloading the 680x480 video and recharging the battery via USB.

As if that weren’t enough, Eyenimal has developed species-specific models. The Dog Videocam is the sport version, sturdier and waterproof. It can record continuously, when the dog is moving, or when it is pointing, and includes a protective lens cap. It’s slightly heavier than the original, at 2.2 ounces, and shoots at 736x480 pixels.

The Cat Videocam is slightly smaller and lighter (1.1 ounces), and also shoots at 736x480 pixels. It’s built for the feline lifestyle, with a movement detector that prevents recording when the cat is asleep, or most of the day. And because cats are nocturnal, it includes night vision, so you won’t miss a thing your cat is up to, day or night.

The cameras start at $99, and are available online at dogtek.com and from Amazon. More information is available at eyenimal.com/en, but really, what other questions might you have? These are videocams for pets; you know you want one….

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by Dan Bain

ON THE[SCENE] >>>style

by Elie Rossetti-Serraino

are you cool?

Here’s what really matters...

Ask a toddler what is cool to him and he would say “My Thomas the Tank Engine!” Ask a ‘tween girl and she will answer “being nice to each other!”

And ask a teenage guy and he’ll tell you “the most recent Air Jordan’s” or “being good at sports”.

In popular culture and in the social media era, being cool means being trendy also but unfortunately, you can be famous or infamous and be liked or followed even as a negative role model.

When we start grade school we are trained to spot who is cool, and we aspire to be in that kind of crowd.

What do they wear, where do they hang out, who are their friends and how much money do they make? We are all curious about it. Anthropologically speaking, humans – like the rest of the animal kingdom – need to imitate who they feel is the strongest. That is why as a wardrobe stylist and mother of soon-to-be teenagers, I’m captivated by what they imitate in order to be cool amongst their peers. For the youngsters to be that cool you have to be admired, not just by your BFF but by your classmates and possibly by the rest of your grade. If your popularity crosses grades (people you don’t know 26 | midtownmag.com

know about you) then you are entering the hall of fame, so to speak.

When friends ask me to make them “cool” for a date, business meeting or even just a general wardrobe upgrade, I ask them to define what they mean specifically so I can create an aspirational look and make them feel more confident. Maybe working on the person you aspire to be starts with the way you dress, but the rest of “being cool” is up to you.

The most important ingredient you need is what the 10-12-years-old girls I interviewed advised me on: To be super-cool is all about niceness, good manners and benevolence.

When my-10 year-old son attended a sport camp predominantly attended by girls, he asked my advice on “how to be cool”.

I used all my knowledge about red carpet styling, socio-cultural anthropology applied to fashion trends, and monitored it as a homemade social experiment.

I picked his outfits carefully and he got many compliments, but he didn’t apply my main suggestion very well: to be polite, generous and a gentlemen. In no way was he disrespectful or rude – he was just being a spirited boy, which ultimately resulting in him saying “The girls at camp did not think I was cool at all” by the end of the week.

You can add confidence with a stylish look and carry an innovative and helpful attitude, but the most important pieces of the puzzle are: politeness and being a team player.

Those aspects make you look cool more than any expensive outfit or sports car ever could.

ON THE[SCENE] >>>arts

by Christa Gala

(left) The Epilepsy Foundation sponsored Conway to paint this horse for an Arizona fundraiser. The creation was inspired by Van Gogh, who was rumored to have epilepsy. (below) Conway’s custom-painted pet statues are typically $140.

Crazy and colorful Local artist Jewel Conway captures the essence of animals – through color and a little bling Artist Jewel Conway moved to Raleigh from Arizona about 18 months ago, but the success of her painting business makes it look like she’s been here a decade.

Word has spread quickly about Conway’s vibrant pet statues and portraits. Using a series of photographs, she personalizes both resin models and canvas with stunning accuracy and a vibrant color palette.

Conway had a passion for art, even as a child.

“Originally, my focus was using graphite pencils and charcoal,” Conway says.

Her love of color was born years later when volunteering at a therapeutic horse-riding charity in Arizona. There, she got involved with an art event designed to bring attention to the organization.

Volunteers painted 25 life-sized horses to be placed within shopping malls in the metro Arizona area.

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Conway was asked to submit a design and later asked to do three more statues. Afterward, she signed up for painting classes, leaving charcoal and sketching behind.

Today, she works exclusively in color, painting pet portraits and statues about 20 hours a week, in addition to working full-time in the technology industry.

Heath Hilliker of Raleigh has commissioned three pet portraits from Conway.

“Jewel does a wonderful job of capturing the animal spirit, so when I look at the paintings I’m reminded of happy times and warm cuddles,” says Hilliker. “We chose Jewel because of her fun, impressionistic style that, to me, has a contemporary flair with the high-gloss finish.”

In fact, all of Conway’s pieces are sealed with the high-gloss lacquer autobody shops use to seal paint on cars.

Portraits range in price but start at

$60. Pet statues, which Conway adorns in jewelry, are typically $140, unless they’re larger than the standard size.

“No two are ever the same, even if it’s the same mold,” says Conway of the statues. “It is a unique piece of art; it’s portable and the jewelry, for the most part, can be taken off and put back on.

“You won’t see one of the animal statues painted in a realistic way,” she continues. “Instead, you might see a Border Collie in a swirl of colors with black and white leopard spots, a Chihuahua painted and adorned like a tribal queen, a French Bulldog painted in a Monet Queen motif, an armadillo painted in a cubism style, or a cat painted like an ocean princess.”

Conway is always striving to capture the true essence of an animal – whether he or she is a diva, a brute, a baby or a lovebug. All it takes is a wide color palette and a little bling.

Visit www.jewelconway.com.

ON THE[SCENE] >>>sports

by David Droschak

photograph © David Droschak

spiking Participation in Beach Volleyball Taking off Across the Triangle I wondered which category I might fall into when Blue Sky Volleyball director Steve Scanga began describing two types of adult players who are flooding beach volleyball courts across the Triangle area.

“We have people who have been playing since the indoor leagues were a big hit here in the 1980s,” he said.

“They have the volleyball skills but they don’t have the volleyball body any more. Then there are the young guys who have all the athletic ability but don’t have the volleyball skills yet. Hopefully they get together with the guy who doesn’t have the body anymore and learn the game.”

Unfortunately and shamelessly, after I stopped chuckling, I recognized fairly quickly which group fit me to a tee.

“The recreational players are coming out playing in the six-man or four-man leagues, and they start to gravitate to the two-man game because they see the better players training for it and say, ‘Hey, I want to do that,’” Scanga said.

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And the area’s surge in beach volleyball participation isn’t limited to adults, or high level competitors. The massive success of the indoor game among girls in middle school and high school has begun to spill over into the sugar white sands of courts across Apex, Cary and Raleigh.

“There is now a scholarship for girls in college to play beach volleyball,” Scanga said. “And these girls like to play volleyball, but the indoor game is very specific in its training; you are pigeon-holed into specific positions. In the beach game you have to do everything – you have to hit, you have to pass, you serve – and they are their own coaches. They get tired of being with a team and being coached. On the beach they are just out there having fun and playing ball.”

The outdoor beach game for juniors are involving girls as young as 12 years old, with as many as 120 teams vying for tournament trophies on a weekly basis in places such as Raleigh, Charlotte or Wilmington.

The most recent Triangle additions are a pair of sand volleyball courts at Apex Nature Park, which opened in March.

The courts are, for the time being, somewhat hidden gems. But likely not for long, said Matt Arkans, who likes to stop by after work at least once a week with his three other 30-something friends to play eight to ten games, or until it gets dark.

“It’s an anaerobic sport, so it’s not like running a bunch of miles,” he said. “It’s a little bit like soccer.

Playing in the sand; it is short bursts.”

Karl Lyon with Apex Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources says the town has been organizing adult beach volleyball leagues for a decade, and the popularity of the sport means a second league will be added in Spring 2015 at the new park.

“Beach volleyball courts were targeted, it was added to the master plan when it was updated,” Lyon said.

“That was one of the things residents were asking for.”

“Why is it getting so popular?” added Ted Jeffcoate, Lyon’s counterpart in Cary. “It is getting together with like-minded people with similar interests, which at times can be a relatively rare opportunity after you get out of college. And don’t forget that the weather around here is pretty terrific most of the year, too.”

M

reviews

A Walk Among the Tombstones

The Equalizer

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

St. Vincent

Starring: Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens Rated: R Opens: 9/19/2014 Plot: An unlicensed private detective is tasked with capturing the murderers of a wealthy drug dealer’s wife. The closer he gets, the more he realizes they are more than your typical kidnappers.

Fury Starring: Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, Shia LaBeouf, Scott Eastwood Rated: Not Yet Rated Opens: 10/17/2014 Plot: April, 1945.

As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and out-gunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.

Starring: Jennifer Garner, Steve Carell Rated: PG Opens: 10/10/2014 Plot: Eleven-year-old Alexander experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life – a day that begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by one calamity after another.

*Opening dates and ratings are subject to change.

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Starring: Denzel Washington, Chloë Grace Moretz Rated: Not Yet Rated Opens: 9/26/2014 Plot: A former black ops commando who faked his death for a quiet life in Boston comes out of his retirement to rescue a young girl and finds himself face to face with a group of Russian gangsters.

Starring: Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy Rated: PG-13 Opens: 10/24/2014 Plot: Forced to work long hours, a single mother has no choice but to leave her son in the care of their new neighbor, Vincent, a retired curmudgeon with a penchant for alcohol and gambling. A friendship soon blossoms between the improbable pair.

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M

reviews

Sundown Heaven Town (Tim McGraw) Release Date: 9/16/2014 McGraw’s thirteenth studio album was produced by himself alongside Byron Gallimore, who has produced all of his albums. In an interview with Country Weekly McGraw stated, “I think it’s a good microcosm of, what, my 20 or so years in music have been, in a lot of ways.

You can certainly hear parts of my career throughout all of these songs, as well as the future and where my music is headed. To me, the title of the album is all about that time where you stop doing what you have to do, and start doing what you want to do.”

Strut (Lenny Kravitz) Release Date: 9/23/2014 Strut is the upcoming tenth studio album by Lenny Kravitz.

The four-time Grammy winner has sold more than 38 million records worldwide and now he goes back to his roots for this record, infusing rock-n-roll, funk, and even a little splash of hip-hop with the heavy bassline on the single. It will be the first release on his own label, Roxie Records.

Cheek to Cheek (Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga) Release Date: 9/23/2014 Cheek to Cheek is the upcoming collaborative album by Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. It was originally scheduled to be released on January 1st, 2014, but was pushed back to March, then July and now finally to September. This will be their second collaboration, the first being a duet of The Lady Is a Tramp recorded for Bennett’s album, Duets II.

Everything Will Be Alright in the End (Weezer) Release Date: 9/30/2014 Over 200 songs were considered for the ninth studio album by the American alternative rock band Weezer.

Twenty of those 200 were tracked and “a dozen or so” were finally chosen for the album. The band specifically noted that the album would feature less “modern pop production” than their previous two albums did. *Release dates are subject to change.

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Collide (Boyz II Men) Release Date: 9/30/2014 Over 23 years after they burst onto the scene with their debut album, Cooleyhighharmony, the founding members say “we don’t really have any obligations to labels per se or image or trying to fit in or trying to be a part of whatever trend of culture.”

The harmonious trio is exercising that freedom on Collide. The band is eager for fans to hear its first new album since 2011’s Twenty.

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reviews

BY michael t. gallo, Wine Manager – Total Wine & More

Dogfish Head Brewery

93 Beer Advocate

New Holland Dragon’s Milk Ale New Holland Brewing Company

Great Divide Claymore Scotch Ale Great Divide Brewing Company

Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale Stone Brewing Company

1 93

Blue Mountain Brewery

95

Beer DRAFT Advocate

Beer Advocate

77 LIGHTEST to DARKEST best served in:

Blue Mountain Barrel House Dark Hollow

77

Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

12% abv

10% abv

7.7% abv

7.2% abv

10% abv

Milton, Delaware

Holland, Michigan

Denver, Colorado

Escondido, California

Afton, Virginia

Here’s an unfiltered, unfettered, unprecedented ale aged in handmade wooden brewing vessels. The caramel and vanilla complexity of this beer comes from the exotic Paraguayan Palo Santo wood from which these tanks were crafted.

Dragon’s Milk Ale is aged in oak barrels. Expect a complex ale with a soft, rich caramelmalt character intermingled with deep vanilla tones; all dancing in an oak bath. Unmistakably distinctive example of New Holland’s Art in Fermented Form.

$4.99/bottle

$4.99/bottle

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Pours a very dark copper-mahogany color. Sweet malty aromas with hints of grains. The smooth, creamy mouthfeel leads to rich flavors of dark caramel, sweet chocolate, moderate roastiness and hop bitterness.

A touch of alcohol is present.

$2.49/bottle

Dark brown with a creamy off-white head. Aromas of complex floral, herbal, citrus and woodiness. Big hop bite of piney herbs and grapefruit. Oaky maltiness balances through to a dry finish with wood notes. Creamy and smooth mouthfeel.

$3.99/bottle

American Double/ Imperial Stout. Pours a dark black with a medium brown head.

Smell subtle and sweet with a hint of chocolate. Tastes very creamy with sugar and chocolate malts and a hint of bourbon.

$8.99/bottle

midtownmag.com | 35

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reviews

BY michael t. gallo, Wine Manager – Total Wine & More

Alouette Pinot Noir

Amici Pinot Noir

Cardwell Hill Pinot Noir

90

Coelho Atracao Pinot Noir

Courtney Benham Pinot Noir

90

Int’l Wine Cellar

best served in:

Beverage Dynamics

Sonoma County, California

Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Sonoma County, California

Winemaker Joseph Wagner has crafted another stunning Pinot Noir. Aromas of cranberry, red apple, toasty cinnamon and vanilla hint at the flavors to come. On the palate bright fruit and light tannins round out the wine nicely.

Strawberry, Vanilla, Medium-bodied

Aromas of raspberry, musky tobacco and herbs are lifted by a floral top note.

Offers lovely balance and intensity to its red berry and spice flavors. Harmonious acidity energizes this silky, expansive pinot.

Elegant, Raspberry, Spice, Medium-bodied

Aromas of ripe cherry and plum. Flavors of pomegranate and black raspberry linger on the mid-palate.

Pairs beautifully with salmon, all white fish, meat and duck.

Elegant, Black Cherry, Blueberry, Full-bodied

Vibrant flavors of red cherries, bramble, earth, and cola; medium-bodied in mouthfeel with a long, structured finish that harmoniously intertwines all the individual components.

Elegant, Cherry, Cedar, Medium-bodied

Blackberry and cherry flavors come alive in this wine that has soft tannins and a lingering finish. The cool growing season adds a touch of acidity that makes this particularly good with tuna, swordfish and turkey dinners with herbs.Blackberry, Cherry, Mediumbodied

$25.99/bottle

$34.99/bottle

$27.99/bottle

$21.99/bottle

$17.99/bottle

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reviews

7 Min Fit • $2.99

Using the scientific 7-minute workout described in the American College of Sports Medicine’s Health, the 7 Min Fit app guides you with voice cues, images, and a timer through the 12 exercises.

You can do this workout anywhere using only your body weight, a chair, and a wall. Doing this workout two or three times in one session is equivalent to a long run and weight training at the gym.

GrillTime • $1.99

120 Sports • Free

GrillTime is a timer and grilling guide that makes barbecuing easier and less stressful. Select your meat, thickness and level of doneness and then GrillTime automatically recommends the perfect grilling time and temperature. There’s never a need to hang around the grill because GrillTime notifies you when it’s time to flip and when it’s finished. Now even featuring a timer for grilled fruit!

120 Sports is the new way to experience sports. Featuring real-time highlights from MLB, NBA, NHL, PGA Tour, NCAA Football, NCAA Basketball, NASCAR and expert analysis and interactivity, 120 Sports is a must for every fan. This FREE app offers over 10 hours of live programming every day and requires no cable authentication or subscription.

QuoteTag • Free

Makeup Genius • Free

Quote Tag is customizable; create your own unique App by downloading the collections (Quotebooks) that you are interested in and share them with your friends and family.

QuoteTag is a great way to educate, motivate and inspire.

Express your thoughts, share your feelings, have a laugh.

Forget everything you know about the makeup apps you’ve seen before. L’Oréal Paris introduces the first virtual makeup tester. Try makeup looks and products on yourself and see them move with you in real time. This exclusive technology from major Hollywood studios has never been seen before in the world of beauty. Create your own or try ready-to-wear looks curated by makeup artists instantly.

Flipagram • Free

Create beautiful short video stories using your Facebook, Instagram and Camera Roll photos, set to music you love.

Select your moments/photos from camera roll, albums, Facebook or Instagram. Sort your moments, choose a title and select the music. Lastly, share your new flipagram on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Vine, Tumblr, Email, Text, Pinterest, WhatsApp or LINE!

The Big Brag • $1.99

Join a rabbit and a bear in this interactive book app as they both boast that they are the “best of the beasts”! Explore pictures, learn new vocabulary, and personalize the story with your own narration. Jump inside to find out how a mere worm humbles the rabbit and the bear in this charming Dr. Seuss tale of humility! *Prices are subject to change.

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Afterlight • $.99

Afterlight is the perfect image editing app for quick and straightforward editing. The simple design, paired with powerful and snappy tools, will give you the look you want in seconds. Download now to experience 15 adjustment tools, 59 filters, 66 textures, cropping tools and frames.

midtownmag.com | 41

askelie

Elie

For all your answers on things fashion, style and trends

Costumista & Wardrobe Style arbiter

Q

I’ve seen a lot of “total black” looks this fall, but I don’t think it is a flattering color for my age.

Sara via Email

After we got fashion drunk with an explosion of colors for the past few fall and winter runways, this year it seems the major designers are on a kind of hangover hue. I’ve seen some oranges and pinks here and there, but in general the tints toned down to dark grays, natural beiges and blues. I used to wear a lot of black in the nineties when I lived in Milan, and I do not want to go back the prehistoric dark Prada look. Instead, this fall I will wear a camel/ caramel top over skinny black pants and black boots, or a cute little white baby collar on a head-to-toe black outfit. A variation could be

a pair of black and white lace-ups or preppy two-toned penny-loafers. If you really want to stay away from it but are wanting the darker look, try the indigo blue or head-to-toe charcoal grey – both colors are very flattering for work outfits at every age.

I’m a super skinny guy and when I buy dress shirts the cuff is still too roomy, even at the second button.

Any suggestions?

The cuff of a mans dress shirt should fit comfortably, but it should not have more room around your wrist than a finger or two. If you were to have a cloth shirt custom made the second button would not be even there - that is why I always tell men to remove the second button if it shows, in order to avoid the off-the-rack look.

For your slimmer wrist size, I would have it moved and sewed to your specifications.

I entertain a lot during the summer and I wear flip-flops for my casual garden and patio parties. What do you think will work for more dressed-up get togethers with friends indoors during fall? I don’t want to wear dressy shoes with high heels, but I want to look nice.

Anonymous 43-year old, Raleigh, NC

Joseph, Raleigh, NC

FollowElie Instagram.com/EliePhotoStylist Facebook.com/ArbiterElieGantiarum Twitter.com/EliePhotoStyle Vine: Elie Rossetti Serraino Blog: ArbiterEliegantiarum.typepad.com Submit your question info@eliephotostylist.com

42 | midtownmag.com

How about ballerina flats? You can find many fancy style ones, in shiny patent leather, engineered snakeskin or satin. I have a pair of red sequined ballerinas I got for five dollars years ago, and I love to wear them with jeans when friends come over for dinner. If the party is a bit more casual, driving moccasins with anklelength pants are a polished option.

midtownmag.com | 43

bain’s bark

It a Dog’s Life Wagging My Tale

[Editor’s Note: Dan Bain took his laptop on vacation just before press time, so in honor of our pet theme, we asked Dan’s dog, Jazz, to take over Bain’s Beat for this issue. We doubt you’ll notice the difference, anyway.]

by Jazz bain, Ruff Drafter

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Hello, two-legger! This time, column written by dog – that me (dog, not column).

My alpha male, him you call Dan Bain, take rest of pack to someplace he call “Dizz Knee Whirl.” He say it have giant mouse, so I glad he not take me. I scared by bigger animal.

Also, by many other thing, including kennel where they bored me while they gone. But Bain pack good to me, so I not hold against them.

I like living with them. It better than dumpster where I live as pup, and way better than them who pull me from dumpster. I no speak of them. I just glad they give up on me after while, because they take me to shelter, where rescuer find me “right before my thyme came doo.” I not know what that mean; I no eat thyme, can’t make thyme doo. But rescuer take me home, give me bath and pills, call me “Jake” and say I go to “a dachshund event.” Rescuer so silly, I not dachshund! Not want dachshund, either, but she say she hope I “get a dach, Ted.”

When Bain pack visit me at “a dachshund event,” I scared at first, and shake a lot. But they

no mind. They have two-leg puppies already – Teen Pup and Little Pup – and Little Pup like me from start. He pet me and hug me in store, and tell Alpha Male and Alpha Mate they can stop looking for other dog now, because he find the best. That make me wag, even though I still shake. Rescuer say Little Pup very “dead a katydid” because he want broken dog. I not know who broken dog is, but I glad Little Pup want me.

Rescuer later took me to visit Bain pack where they live – in giant crate, made from wood and brick. I like, but I still shake. Two-leggers across street, make much noise while building other giant crate. I get out of car, bark at them.

Alpha Male there to meet us, and he tell me good job, he want watch dog. So I watch. After we go inside, I see fat cat run by. That interest me, so I try to run to play with fat cat. Alpha Male stop me, then make me promise to “grow out of it” if I going to come live in giant crate with them. He sign paper, say they ready to “a dach” me soon.

I go back to rescuer home, but only for

short time. She bring me back to Bain crate. I confused when she leave without me, but Alpha Male say it okay, I belong with Bain pack now, and they never treat me like him who pull me from dumpster. That make me shake and wag at same time.

I sit next to Alpha Male’s paws all afternoon that day, until I hear monster outside. I bark at door, Alpha Male say it okay, that just garage door, mean rest of family home. I no trust his judgement, nothing but monster make noise like that. I still bark at garage door sound every time, and Alpha Male roll eyes and say, “It been seven month, why you not used to it yet?”

That day, after noise stop, Alpha Mate walk in door with Teen Pup and Little Pup, and all hell break loose. I bark and shake, try to hide behind Alpha Male. Then Little Pup let me sniff hand, and I remember. We good friend now. He let me sleep in crate near him. That confuse me, because Alpha Male not there, but I always get to see him next morning. Plus, Little Pup like having me near. I learn to run upstairs every time someone say, “Crate!” because I know, when I go in crate, they give me Milk Bone hidden in toy. That best thing ever.

They have lots of best thing ever…They walk me on “greenway,” that best thing ever. They put soft food on hard food, that best thing ever. They throw ball for me outside, that best thing ever. They come home at night, that best thing ever.

Good time roll in Bain pack!

I still make many mistake, though. Sometime I run so fast, I scratch up floor. Alpha Mate no like. That not best thing ever.

Sometime I so happy, I pee on floor. Alpha Mate no like again.

But she never hit. She just stare at me, same way she sometime stare at Alpha Male when he do something wrong. Must make him feel like me, because he say, “I in doghouse again.”

And I still afraid some time. When light makes something called “shadow” on wall, I shake. When fan on ceiling move by itself, I shake and run. When Alpha Male put on hat, I shake, run, and bark. I no like hats. Alpha Mate good guesser, she think him who pull me from dumpster must have wore hat.

I no tell her. I no speak of him. But Alpha Male still want to know. “What did that jerk do to make you such a scaredy cat?” he ask. But I not cat! Ha, Alpha Male so dumb sometime!

He want to see cat, he only have to look around. Three cat live with Bain pack. Can’t throw ball without hitting cat in that place – and believe me, I try. Two cat stay under chair for long time after I move in – Alpha Male say for two month – but they finally come out. I wish they stay under, especially fat cat.

She dumb enough to eat from my bowl sometime. I not a fan of that idea. I try to explain, but fat cat run every time I open mouth. Should stay and listen, avoid same problem next time.

I also confused at first by new name. Teen Pup have friend name Jake, say it probably confusing when they say “Jake” and not mean me. So they pick new name “Jazz.” But Teen Pup and Little Pup both play noisemaker in something they call “Jazz Band” and I hear them talk about it more than talk about friend Jake. I look up every time Alpha Mate say, “Go practice for Jazz Band.” Two-leggers no think things through sometime!

That okay, though. I dog, so I forgive easy. Except for him who pull me from dumpster. Him, I never forgive. Only good thing he do, is take me to shelter after he give up on me. That way, I end up with Bain pack, and they never give up on me.

I never give up on them, either. Wise two-legger once say, “Properly trained, a man can be dog’s best friend.” I keep up long enough, I get them trained. midtownmag.com | 45

1 2 3 4 5

beautystyle

by anna churchill, synergy spa & Aesthetics, >> feelsynergy.com

Resurfacing Pads by Synergy Clinical Skin Care These “mini” at-home peel pads work miracles on even the most damaged skin. Containing a blend of skin resurfacing hydroxyl acids, apply just before bed and you will awake with softer, smoother skin.

After about two months of use, noticeable improvements to the tone and texture of your skin become apparent; wrinkles will soften and uneven skin tone and dark spots diminish, leaving skin with a better overall clarity. >> $70 for 60 pads, Synergy Spa & Aesthetics

Chanel Les 4 Ombres MULTI-EFFECT QUADRA EYESHADOW in Tissé Gabrielle The smoky look is as classic as the little black dress, but can be tricky to achieve.

So start practicing now so you don’t look like a raccoon at all your holiday functions! For tips on how to create the perfect smoky eye, visit imabeautygeek. com – they have a step-by-step guide specifically for Channel Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow Kits. >> $61, Department Stores and Online

Latisse® Longer, thicker, fuller, darker lashes are only a few months away with the daily application of Lattise®! Start using now and you can toss out your lash curler and fake lashes in no time at all. Latisse® is a prescription product that is gentle, safe and effective…so what’s stopping you from giving Santa a big butterfly kiss this winter! >>$125/3ml, $175/5ml, latisse.com

Juverderm® for Earlobe Rejuvenation I for one love to wear dazzling dangling earrings to all my holiday parties – but alas, after many years of wearing them my earlobes began to tear. There is hope! Juvederm® can be placed into the lower earlobes to bring back a plumper, younger-looking lobe. Now you can accessorize your holiday cocktail attire from ear to toe! >>$400-$550, juverderm.com

Getting Holiday Ready >> Winter

is just a few months away, and you know what that means…holiday festivities! From parties, galas and gettogethers with coworkers, family, and friends, why not start preparing to be the bell of the ball? Here are a few beauty picks that will produce visible results sure to wow any crowd in just two to three short months.

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Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup BB Cream All the craze this year, BB creams provide a fuller coverage than the sheerer foundations and tinted moisturizers typically worn during the summer months. Additionally, as your summer tan starts to fade away it is probably a good time to have your color rematched, as a lighter shade is usually necessary this time of year. I particularly love this mineral BB cream because it covers blemishes, minimizes pores, disguises wrinkles and smoothes and brightens skin. Nothing says lets get this party started like flawless skin! >>$48, janeiredale.com

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chef mario

Comfort in a Bowl Keep you and your family warm on chilly nights with these hearty and heartwarming soups and stews

recipes chef mario copy darcy brennan-huante Photography april maness photography 7 ||midtownmag.com 48 midtownmag.com

Baked Potato Soup Makes approximately 3 quarts Ingredients 8 baked russet potatoes 4 cups white onion, diced 2 Tbsp olive oil (to sauté the onions) 8 cups milk 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp chicken base (we recommend BTB –

Better than Bullion)

salt and pepper 2 cups heavy cream

chicken stock (to adjust the

consistency as needed) For Garnish • crispy potato skins • bacon bits • cheddar cheese • sliced scallions Directions Wash and dry your potatoes. Place on a foil-lined sheet pan and drizzle olive oil; season with salt and pepper.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for about an hour or so, until potatoes are cooked. Cool them enough so you can handle them (this step can be done the day before if desired).

Cut potatoes in quarters. Using a paring knife, cut out the inside of the potatoes (save the skins – these will be our crispies for garnish). Slice half of the skins into strips and spread on a foil-lined sheet pan. Coat with cooking spray, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or so, or until golden and crispy. Set aside for garnish.

In a large pot, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil, then add onions.

Cook over medium heat until onions are translucent.

Add the milk and potato insides. Add the Dijon, chicken base, salt and pepper and cream, and bring to a simmer.

Using an emulsion blender (stick blender), puree the soup, still leaving some chunks of potato. Do not over-blend, as it will thicken into a paste-like consistency. Adjust your seasoning with salt and pepper; add the chicken stock to adjust consistency.

To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with crispy potato skins, cheese, bacon bits and scallions.

www.blownawayraleigh.com midtownmag.com | 49

Chicken Pot Pie Soup Makes approximately 16 servings Ingredients 1 lb carrots, medium dice 1 lb celery, medium dice 1 large red onion, diced 2 oz mushrooms, sliced 2 Tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper 1 lb potatoes, medium dice 2 sticks of butter 1Âź cups flour 1 gallon of chicken stock 3 or 4 sprigs of fresh thyme, tied in a bundle Âź cup soy sauce 2 Tbsp red hot sauce 1 Tbsp chicken base (BTB)

salt and pepper, to taste 1-2 lbs roasted chicken meat, pulled from the bone * pie crusts (see recipe on next page)

Directions In a large bowl, toss together diced carrots, celery, onions and mushrooms. Add olive oil and season with salt and pepper, then spread on a foil-lined sheet pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the vegetables are lightly golden and roasted. Set veggies aside.

Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a pot over medium-high heat. Cook potatoes until tender, about 10-12 minutes. Drain. Set aside.

In a large pot, add the chicken stock and bring to a simmer.

In a smaller pot, melt butter, then whisk in flour to make a roux the consistency of peanut butter.

Whisk roux into hot chicken stock and stir until thickened. Add the bundle of thyme, soy sauce, red hot and BTB; mix and season to taste.

Add the roasted vegetables, potatoes and chicken meat. Mix and adjust seasoning. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes, then let rest for 15 minutes. Top with pie crusts.

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Pie Crust Recipe Makes approximately 12 small crusts or one large crust Ingredients 1lb all-purpose flour 1 cup oil ½ cup milk 2 tsp salt Directions Place flour in a large bowl, making a well in the center. Pour oil, milk and salt in the well. Using one finger, stir mixture until it comes together. Continue to mix until dough forms a ball.

Roll out the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and cut into rounds using a large round cutter. Place the crusts on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, or until crusts are golden brown.

midtownmag.com | 51

Bottomless Veggie Soup Makes approximately 12 servings. We call it bottomless as you can eat as much as you want and remain guilt-free!

Ingredients 2 medium garlic cloves, minced 1 medium onion, diced 2 medium carrots, diced 1 medium sweet red pepper, diced 1 medium celery stalk, diced 2 small zucchini, diced 2 cups green cabbage, shredded 2 cups cauliflower, small florets 2 cups broccoli, small florets 6 cups water, or enough to cover the veggies 1 Tbsp hot sauce 2 Tbsp soy sauce ½ tsp salt, or to taste Ÿ tsp black pepper, or to taste 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, optional Directions Put garlic, vegetables, and water into a large soup pot.

Cover and bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. Season to taste with hot sauce, soy sauce, salt, pepper and lemon juice.

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extra

RECIPES!

Beef Stew

with Mushrooms and Bacon Log on to midtownmag.com for the recipe!

midtownmag.com | 53

photography © stacy cathey

diy workshop

You’ll need: • An old chair • Spray paint • Dog bowl with a lip

• Pencil • Electric drill • Electric jig saw

One For The Big Dog

By Christa Gala and Stacy Cathey

O

ur little furry friends get cute outfits that make large breed dogs look, well, ridiculous. This food bowl holder is a tribute to them. The project cost $15 and took about two hours (which included drying time)!

This is a great way to get food or water off the kitchen floor and puts the food at face level for bigger dogs, which helps eliminate the choking hazard of eating from the floor.

You could use a bench to fit both food and water, but we used a single chair which we had on hand.

First, purchase a dog bowl if you don’t already have one, and make sure it has a lip. The lip will help hide any imperfections in your circle. Bowls typically cost between $5 and $10 at any pet store.

We started with our chair. Flip it over and unscrew the seat from the base. The fabric and batting from our seat came

off quite easily. Attach the seat back to the base and return the chair right side up.

Place your dog bowl in the center of the seat and trace around the bottom, drawing a full circle. Now, take your drill and place it at any point just on the inside of the circle, near your pencil line. Drill a hole that will basically get you into your circle; it will be your starting point for the jig saw.

Insert the jig saw into the hole and follow the line to cut your circle, cutting just inside the pencil line. Remember: it’s better to err on the side of cutting a tad smaller. When you test the fit of the bowl, you can always cut a bit larger if you need to.

When you have a good snug fit, give your new pet bowl stand two or three coats of paint and let dry.

Now fill’er up for dinnertime.

>> Send us your DIY ideas! Email us at diamonds@midtownmag.com.

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financial focus

Getting a Mortgage is Like Getting Married W

by Scott Wittig, NMLS# 92131 Mortgage Loan Officer, north state bank

edding season happens to be the traditional home buying season as well. Interestingly, the process of finding your life partner is eerily similar to finding the right mortgage partner; the person who will be your guide to securing the financing for your home. The commitment needs to be almost as strong in order to avoid pain, suffering and divorce!

Consider the following tips for making this marriage work: >> When looking for your mortgage partner, no blind dates and no 800

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numbers allowed – start with a referral from someone you trust who, in turn, knows, trusts and ideally has worked with the lender previously. Just as you would when you have a text or phone conversation before a first date, trust your gut. Your intuition about who this person is, how you’ll get along with them and if you have some commonality in life will go a long way. You also want your partner to know your market, not just marketing; that trusted partner will be found much more easily in a local lender as opposed to someone who answers the phone in a tollfree call center somewhere far, far away.

>> Good communication is an absolutely crucial key to the success of the relationship as well. Ask questions. Ask for clarification.

Make sure they know that you want to know all you should know. The enormous mortgage and real estate calamity that we all survived in recent years could have been largely avoided had buyers and their mortgage partners actually spoken to each other. An example – get a “Don’t Do It!” list from your Loan Officer so you know what NOT to do that would otherwise make your mortgage partner want to leave you before the wedding closing. >> While you may have your own opinion on this when dating, consider sticking with one partner during your mortgage partner courtship.

Capitalism should reign – this is America, after all. However, there is a time for that and it is not right at the beginning of the process. Contacting one lender to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for your loan is typically enough, unless you have some serious baggage from previous relationships and happenings in your life; in that case, input and advice from more than one lender can be a good thing.

Otherwise, get that letter from your lender partner and get on with the fun stuff – finding the home! You can talk to other potential partners once your trusted real estate agent finds you a home, since that is the best time to compare rates. >> Speaking of real estate agents – get one! As a homebuyer, you don’t have to pay them – the seller does. It’s like having a bodyguard along with you on your first date that you don’t have to pay. They will have your back throughout the process and will help make sure your mortgage partner pays for dinner.

Following these few rules of finding the right mortgage partner will make the home buying process as enjoyable as a good, healthy marriage. The right lender will share your values when it comes to service and will take vows to serve you in (financial) sickness and in health. midtownmag.com| 57

raising thebar

ask You

Q

ANSWER

we

How serious is boating while impaired compared to driving while impaired?

Scott, Garner, NC

Although a serious charge, boating while impaired (BWI) is nowhere near as serious as driving while impaired (DWI). BWI is a class 2 misdemeanor, which will usually result in court costs and a fine of at least $250. The punishment can be more severe if you have a prior record. Unlike DWI, a BWI conviction does not result in the loss of your driver’s license and generally does not include probation.

Have a question?

Let us hear it: raisingthebar@midtownmag.com

~ Steven Saad, Co-Chair of CSH Law Criminal Defense Practice Group I am an avid Facebook user. I don’t have a lawyer, but I’m thinking about suing a company for personal injuries.

If I do sue the company, will I have to give them my Facebook posts?

Anonymous Most likely you will have to turn over all of your posts to the company in the “discovery” phase of the lawsuit. It’s also clear that you shouldn’t delete or destroy any social media when you are in litigation or are contemplating litigation. And if you do, then you could face severe sanctions from the judge for destroying potential evidence. If you hire a lawyer, you should certainly discuss this issue. ~ Chip Campbell, Vice-Chair of CSH Law Trucking & Commercial Transportation Practice Group I rear-ended someone and received a ticket. I know my insurance will increase for the accident. Will it increase again after I go to court?

Kristin, Cary, NC In most accidents that do not involve injuries, the ticket will be dismissed 58 | midtownmag.com

if you can show that your insurance company is handling the damage done in the accident. Insurance companies generally can produce a letter that you can take to court stating that any damage claims are or will be paid. This is enough to have the case dismissed and to avoid another increase in insurance.

~ Steven Saad My neighbor’s son’s car stereo can be heard from two blocks away. It’s constant thumping and rattling. Do we have any legal remedies?

Terry, Raleigh, NC

In situations involving neighbors, it is always best to try non-legal avenues first. A friendly chat with his parents about lowering the volume may solve the problem. If it does not, there are legal solutions. Each town in Wake County has an ordinance against loud noise. Generally, music must be contained to a distance of no more than 50 feet from the vehicle.

A violation of these ordinances is a misdemeanor. ~ Steven Saad

My son is a freshman in college.

He was walking through campus at 3am and an officer stopped him and demanded to see what was in his bookbag. Is this allowed?

Douglas, Wake Forest NC No. Unless your son was engaging in what could be described as suspicious or criminal activity, there is no lawful reason for him to be stopped or searched by an officer. Without this suspicion, an officer can ask for consent to search the bookbag. No one is under any obligation to give that consent. ~ Steven Saad

MeettheCounsel

Steven Saad

Criminal Defense

Chip Campbell Civil Litigation

Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP | www.cshlaw.com This content has been prepared for general information purposes only. This information is not intended to provide specific legal advice. Legal advice is dependent upon the specific circumstances of each situation. The information provided cannot replace the advice of competent legal counsel by a licensed attorney in your state.

scare yourself

I’ll Pass On The Needles (but thanks for asking)

By Christa Gala

I

n recent years I’ve heard several miraculous stories about acupuncture. The ancient Chinese practice has been around for more than 2,500 years, according to the National Center for Complementary Medicine (NCCAM). It’s helped several of my friends with migraines and fertility issues, so I decided to give it a try it in my quest to try new things in 2014.

To make a long story short, I

60 | midtownmag.com

think I’m more of a Western medicine kind of gal.

The initial assessment was interesting. After taking a tally of everything I’d ingested the day before and having me do a few exercises, I was told my adrenal glands and liver were not functioning fully, but that my heart, immune system and digestive system were hunky dory. I might agree with the liver assessment (I do like my

libations, after all), but I couldn’t see how a diagnosis of adrenal malfunction could be made simply by looking at me and pushing on different parts of my right arm.

I asked as much and received a confusing explanation of pathways, energy, pulses and the size of my pupils, among other things. The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system and contribute to all sorts of functions.

The system is typically stressed when we’re stressed. As a married woman with two jobs, a kid and a mom who is getting back on her feet after invasive cancer treatment, it’s likely true. Still, it felt a little like fortune-telling or palmreading to me.

The acupuncturist inserted thin, sterile needles which pinched slightly going in (tap, tap, tap), including one in the scalp and a few in the face, and multiple needles in the feet and hands.

After the insertion, I “percolated” alone in a darkened room alone for about 15 minutes, during which I marveled at how much I looked like a voodoo doll and tried to forget I had to pee.

The acupuncturist returned and asked me how I felt and said I was responding nicely and told me to start drinking lots of water and stop drinking my Diet Mountain Dews, which isn’t going to happen and don’t send me an email about it. Please.

The needles were then removed and I left with a prescription of four more treatments and some vitamin supplements. My hands and feet felt numb and achy at the insertion points, particularly the fleshy area between the thumb and index finger – the feeling you get when you whack your funny bone. I feel like the needles rattled my nerve endings a bit and as someone with a sciatica history, I don’t like that feeling.

To be fair, I only gave it one try and I didn’t have a specific ailment to target, but in the end I decided acupuncture wasn’t for me. I’m open to some alternative therapies, and I’m a big lover of massage, meditation and yoga (the latter I’ve written about in this space), but this was just a little too far reaching for me personally.

I wanted to feel better leaving than I did coming in and, unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for me.

pets vets and

Care And Prevention For A Long, Healthy Life

By Jenni Hart

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midtownmag.com midtownmag.com||63 2

t

The decision to bring a pet into your home is a big one, and it certainly should not be taken lightly. The average lifespan of dogs is 10-12 years, and for cats, 10-14. Some avian and exotic pets will be with you even longer. So it’s important to educate yourself and go into pet ownership fully prepared for what this lifelong commitment requires.

Generations of Raleigh pet owners have relied on Six Forks Animal Hospital, which has been located on Six Forks Road near Newton Road since 1967. Veterinarian Jon Friend, who joined the practice in June, has a particular passion for preventive care. Dr. Friend says puppies and kittens are evaluated and given standard vaccinations, and then are typically seen every six months to a year after that. Puppies are vaccinated against parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis and rabies. Kittens are given vaccinations against rabies, distemper and upper respiratory infections.

Additional vaccines may be warranted depending on your

64 | midtownmag.com

pet’s living environment and risk of exposure.

Some of the most serious afflictions a pet can have include intestinal parasites and other zoonotic diseases such as rabies. A zoonotic disease is one that can be passed between humans and animals. “Many people don’t realize their family members can be infected by pets who are not properly cared for,” Friend says.

This includes young children, who are susceptible to contracting hookworm and roundworm from larval migrations through the skin. “Ideally, I recommend taking stool samples every six months,” says Friend. “Some of these things are hard to catch in the early stages, so this frequency offers the best chance to catch them early.”

Once dogs reach adulthood, their visits to Six Forks Animal Hospital include a full health screening and yearly vaccine boosters, along with a Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine when the dog’s lifestyle warrants it.

So, what’s at stake when a pet owner fails to provide preventive care for their pets? Dr. Friend says the result can be devastating. “Unfortunately, we treat animals that are experiencing some serious, life-threatening disease processes, including kidney failure, liver disease and even tumors,” he says. With routine blood screening, which is especially appropriate for senior dogs, Friend says some of these conditions can be treated and the progression of the disease slowed. He recommends full blood panels on older dogs for just that reason.

Not all preventive care takes place at the veterinarian’s office. Dog and cat owners are encouraged to provide monthly heartworm prevention, which they can administer themselves. Dr. Friend says heartworm can be fatal for both dogs and cats, and that there is no statistical difference between indoor cats and those who spend time outdoors. Applying a heartworm prevention medication is a simple, straightforward way to ensure your pet is as healthy as possible. Many heartworm prevention formulations also provide protection against other parasites such as hookworms. Flea and tick topical solutions are also encouraged, and are easy to administer monthly right along with the heartworm prevention.

Dr. Friend says ticks are a greater threat than fleas, and that our region is especially known for a heavy tick population. Lyme disease spread by ticks can be serious and even life-threatening for dogs, so prevention is key.

High-quality nutrition is another consideration for the optimal health of your pet, and Dr. Friend

recommends choosing from brands that are well known for a good safety record. Unless your pet has a particular sensitivity or allergy, he says there is no need to purchase holistic or grain-free food. “It’s become more popular, and you can certainly choose these products if you feel they are more in keeping with your lifestyle or your own personal choices, but they aren’t really necessary from a nutrition standpoint,” he says. Pets with identified food allergies do have more options now than ever before, so consult your veterinarian if that’s the case.

Finally, it’s important to help your pet maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is epidemic among our nation’s pets, with more than half of dogs and cats meeting the definition of obese. Excess weight shortens a pet’s lifespan and can lead to arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory disease, kidney disease and many forms of cancer. Dr. Friend recommends plenty of exercise and suggests twice-daily feedings may be more effective than a single daily feeding when it comes to weight control.

The best step you can take to ensure the long, healthy life of your pet is to establish a great relationship and open communication with your veterinarian. Dr. Friend refers to it as a true partnership. Your vet will guide you through each stage of your pet’s growth and development and offer treatment options in case of illness or injury. “Preventive care is so important.

It’s always better to act ahead of time than to react after problems have already started,” says Friend. “A commitment to a pet is a lifetime commitment.”

BEST

FRIEND

midtownmag.com | 65

Woof GangBakery a special place for pets

By Jenni Hart

Do you consider yourself a “dog” person or a “cat” person? If you’re head-over-heels in love with either (or both), you know there’s nothing you won’t do to keep your pet healthy, happy, active and even pampered.

Michael and Elise Morales know that head-over-heels feeling, and when they made the decision to operate two local Woof Gang Bakery franchises, it was their love for a special pup named Maverick that inspired them. “I knew the minute we walked into the store that Woof Gang Bakery was something I could see myself being really passionate about,” Michael says. He and Elise were the second customers to walk through the door when the North Hills location first opened in 2011. They came in searching for something that could help Maverick overcome his allergies. The holistic 66 | midtownmag.com

feeding approach they found at Woof Gang was the ticket.

Today, the Moraleses operate the Woof Gang Bakery Cary location, which they opened in 2012 at Stone Creek Village, and they took over the North Hills location in 2013. Michael says their family has since expanded, with the addition of another dog and two foster dogs joining Maverick. “As recent college graduates, we both had other options for careers or furthering our education, but we love our dogs and knew this business was something we could be very excited about,” he says.

According to a report released earlier this year, Americans spend a staggering $60 billion on their pets.

With all the options for purchasing food, toys and other accessories, what sets Woof Gang Bakery apart? The

Moraleses say it’s more than a business for them; it’s a passion for animals and for being part of the communities they serve. “From our own experience, I know how important it is to have complete trust and confidence in the food you give your dog,” Michael says.

He adds that he and Elise get to know the products inside and out – they know where they’re made, where the ingredients are sourced, and how the formulas are blended to meet a pet’s specific nutritional needs.

In addition to food for dogs and cats, Woof Gang Bakery carries treats, toys, collars, leads and other accessories. Michael describes an especially fun and trendy line, Sniffany & Co., whose products come packaged in that iconic robin’s egg blue known for eliciting a Pavlovian response even in some of us humans. A number of Woof Gang’s products are sourced locally, including a line of collars that comes hand delivered. In addition, both Woof Gang Bakery locations offer full-service grooming seven days a week by appointment.

The Moraleses’ love for dogs extends beyond their storefronts, as they host adoption events at both locations nearly every weekend. “We really love the idea that a family can come out for lunch and an afternoon of shopping, and end up meeting a potential new family member,” Michael says. If you have a furry, four-legged friend, he or she is always welcome at Woof Gang, so the next time you’re at Stone Creek Village in Cary or The Lassiter at North Hills, be sure to stop in. midtownmag.com | 67

benny

koda

lucy

Bella Louise

Miss Daisy jewels

lucy

keylo

Thanks readers

gussie

ben

for sending in their great pet photos! puck

Linzi Marie

cruz

tucker

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max

sophie

peanut Baylie

mr. wuf and francis Gigi

murphy

Dylan

lover boy

chloe

dobby

foscoe

dallas, piper and rony

tucker Shiloh and Millie revel brady

Mokey AND Ollie

james

jules

midtownmag.com | 8

L i s t s to A llay

Your Pet Fret Whether you already own a pet or are thinking about getting one, you might have questions about how to do right by the animal(s) and the people in your life. We’ve compiled lists of dos and don’ts to help assure a positive relationship with both….

By Dan Bain

the Do’s and Don’ts

OF PET CARE

News flash: Owning a pet is NOT an easy task. Some would argue they’re as challenging as children, but let’s be honest – pets might be even more challenging, at least in terms of constancy. At least our babies learn to talk, eliminating some of the guesswork of childcare. And most children grow up, allegedly becoming more self-sufficient along the way. Neither can be said of a pet.

Now, before anyone dashes off an angry letter to my editor, please know I’m not pulling a Gwyneth Paltrow – I know childcare is hard. I’ve had a hand in the care and raising of humans, cats and dogs, and while children are more complex than pets, the level of effort stays on a relative decline from the onset. Not so with pets. Sure, there’s a big spike related to housebreaking, but once you’re past that 70 | midtownmag.com

hurdle, there’s no additional decline. Pets require the same effort at age 18 as they did in the beginning; we can at least tell our teenagers to go feed themselves when we’re beat.

Ever ask a dog to walk itself ?

Given that, we’ve researched a list of Dos and Don’ts to provide some guidance, from the initial thought of, “Should I get a cat?” to that happy-but-frightened homecoming thought of, “Now that I have this furry noisemaker creating new odors in my house, what do I do with it?” Hope they help!

Acquiring a Pet

So you think you want a pet? Great! They’re a lot of fun, and can be loyal, loving companions in the right conditions – and if you get the right one. While you think it over, consider these tips…

Do

choose carefully. Know what kind of pet you want, from the species to the breed. Yes, cats are different from dogs are different from fish are different from birds are different from reptiles are different from amphibians. And

different breeds of each have different characteristics and needs that are fairly common across their entire breed; most pitbulls share care-affecting traits that are different from the care-affecting traits shared by most shih-tzus. Research all of the ones you are considering, and get to know the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Do

predict how a new pet will impact your life over the full range of its life.

Puppies and kittens grow out of their cute baby phases, and sometimes act differently. You might consider adopting an adult pet, particularly one that has been fostered, so you can know what to expect in terms of behavior, personality, etc. Be sure you are ready to deal with it, for the full life expectancy of the pet. Consider your budget and the costs of food, shelter and medical care.

Consider your commitment; are you able to come home daily to let a dog out? If you travel often, can you afford a sitter or kennel? Do you have the energy to deal with a particularly playful animal? Talk to people who own similar pets, and get a feel for what you’re in for – you don’t want to adopt, only to do the walk of shame in returning your loving pet (in its eyes, abandoning it) a month later. While you’re at it, find out the life expectancy for the pet you’re considering; it’s morbid to think about, but it should factor into your decision.

Do

think about where to get your pet. Be wary of puppy mills and shelters with animals from more than 100 miles away.

Look into local rescue agencies; their animals need another chance, and will often be guaranteed healthy, as they receive medical care and observation for the period of time they’re in the shelter or foster homes of said agency. Even if you prefer a specific breed, odds are good you’ll find it in a local rescue agency or shelter – check their sites online, or check www.petfinder.com.

Do

consider mixed breeds. Pedigrees are nice, but are likely to have inbred deformities and abnormalities. These can cause pain for the animal, not to mention your vet budget. midtownmag.com | 71

Do

arrange to meet the pet first, if possible.

Ignore this if you’re rescuing from a shelter with a high kill rate, where time is not a luxury. Rescue agencies have more time, and you can often meet and socialize with the animal at adoption events or onsite at an agency’s main shelter, if they have such a thing. If the animal is being fostered, the family fostering it will probably be happy to arrange for a “playdate” or two, possibly even bringing it to your home in an effort to let the animal become acquainted with its future home.

Do

Don’t

get a pet on an impulse. This is a serious responsibility, and you should conduct some research and give yourself time to make a well-informed decision.

Don’t

give a pet to someone as a gift. The recipient might not be ready for one; again, it’s a serious responsibility and a big decision. If you give a pet to someone as a gift, you are foisting a commitment on them – one that they might not be willing to make.

prepare for your pet’s arrival. Check your home for hazards. Get down on the pet’s level and look for possible temptations for bad or unsafe behavior, then remove them if possible. Make sure your houseplants aren’t potentially toxic; there are plenty that are, so be sure to research each thoroughly. Find out what healthcare has already been provided to your pet, and whether further vaccinations and/or care are needed prior to bringing it home. Get a receipt and full paperwork from the seller. Set up the pet’s primary environment – be it bed, crate, or something else – prior to bringing it home. Know that your pet will probably be traumatized or stressed out at an environment change, and be prepared to make it feel secure in its new home. Place it in the area where it will be spending most of its time, let it see where its food, bed and litter box (if applicable) are, then give it time and space to grow accustomed to the new environment.

look for overly exotic pets. Some animals simply cannot be domesticated, and are dangerous to you and the people around you. Some require special care that is beyond the ability of a person who is not a zookeeper. Some are actually illegal. Besides, do you really want a tiger cub when there’s a puppy down the street in need of a loving home?

Do

Don’t

try to keep your pet on its same food and regimen during its transition to your home.

Do

be patient, calm and forgiving with your new pet. Be prepared to take on some initial challenges and mishaps. Accidents will happen. Just remind yourself that you wanted this pet, and you committed yourself to taking care of it – for better or worse. You’ll see some of both, but your pet is worth the hassle.

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Don’t

get a pet during a time in your life that is more stressful than usual, for other reasons. Getting married? Preparing to move soon? About to have a baby?

These are bad times to adopt a pet, as you are not prepared to devote the necessary time and energy to its care.

Don’t

rely solely on the advice and information of a pet store employee; their goal is to quickly move animals out of their store, and their information is not necessarily accurate. Consider the information from multiple sources; a rescue group will be happy to provide you with a lot of useful information, regardless of whether you adopt from them.

Don’t

allow yourself to be badgered into getting a pet – whether by a salesperson or a

well-meaning acquaintance – until you know you’re ready for one. By the same token, don’t rush yourself, thinking you absolutely have to get that one particular animal you saw – there will be others.

Don’t

buy a pet from a seller who won’t guarantee its health or at least give you an opportunity to have the animal examined by a vet first. Additionally, avoid sellers who obviously don’t keep their animals clean and healthy.

Don’t

take on a pet out of pity for its current conditions unless you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that those conditions are unacceptable, and that you are committed to either giving or finding the pet a better home.

Don’t

place too much importance on price, looking for a bargain; if the seller has provided proper medical care up until that point, they’ll expect you to pay for it.

Don’t

hold nor play with your pet too much for the first day or two after bringing it home. Also, don’t invite everyone you know to come and see your new pet right away. Instead, give it time to become settled and secure first.

Returning Your Pet

It’s possible that, despite your best-laid plans, you’ll realize your new companion isn’t the best pet for you. If that should happen…

Do

admit that it was your mistake, and take responsibility.

Do

continue to take good care of your pet until you find a good home for it.

Do

exercise diligence in finding the right home for this pet.

Do

if you absolutely MUST surrender your pet, find a reputable rescue group or no-kill sanctuary that specializes in your pet’s species (and possibly breed) that can take your pet, and make a decent donation to them to cover its future care and related costs.

Don’t

take out your frustration on your pet; this was your mistake, and the animal couldn’t help it.

Don’t

expect to recuperate any of the money you spent to adopt and care for your pet before you gave it up.

Don’t

simply pawn the animal off on an owner who’s an equally poor match, and who won’t be able/willing to give it the care it deserves.

Don’t

surrender the animal to a shelter or anywhere else where it might be euthanized.

Don’t

for the love of God, PLEASE DON’T dump the animal in the wild – that’s the same as a death sentence.

Caring for Your Pet:

Congratulations! You’ve acquired a pet, and you’re committed to keeping it. Thank you for doing your part for the larger animal population. But how do you continue to do your part for that specific animal? Read on… midtownmag.com | 73

Do

give your pet proper medical care. Schedule an annual checkup with your vet, and stay on top of those vaccinations and other maintenance medications – rabies, distemper, feline leukemia, deworming, and/or other species-specific treatments. Know what your local laws require, such as rabies shots. You should get those at a bare minimum, even if you think your pet will never go outside – you just never know when your cat might make a dash for the open door, or worse, when something rabid finds its way into your home (it happens). Let’s face it – no one wants a Cujo on their hands. Make sure your pet wears its rabies tag, and keep all of your vaccination paperwork, in case you need to prove your pet is up-to-date on its vaccinations (you’ll need to whenever you board a pet or have it groomed).

Do

take Bob Barker’s advice, and have your pet spayed or neutered. Again, even if it’s an indoor pet, there’s always a chance it could run out for a little fun, and too many times, a little fun results in more homeless pets. Plus, non-neutered pets can present additional difficulties, whether they be aggressive behavior and occasional territory-marking-via-urine of males, or the unbelievable noises and downright odd behavior of females in heat. If your pet wasn’t neutered before you adopted it, please ensure that it is soon thereafter.

Do

praise your pet, show it affection, and give it confidence and a sense of security. Spend quality time with your pet daily – walk a dog, pet a cat, play with a pet, etc. Talk to your pet.

Do

be firm but loving when establishing and enforcing your rules.

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Do

keep things interesting; a bored pet is a misbehaving pet. Whenever possible, involve your pet in your life. Make it feel like a family member – after all, it is!

Do

provide a healthy and balanced, but varied, diet for your pet.

Do

make arrangements with family or friends to take care of your pet in the event something should happen to you. They will need a spare key, plus knowledge of where your pet’s supplies are.

Don’t hit your pet. You might need to give a large pet a mild swat to get its attention, but don’t strike a pet in anger or with intent to do harm.

Don’t

tease or abuse your pet, nor allow other people to do so.

Don’t

leave your dog alone at home for too long. They are social animals, and need to be around their “pack.” Consider working close to home, so you can at least come home and walk Ranger during your lunch break, or think about paying someone to care for him – whether at a “doggy daycare” center, or in your home during the day.

Don’t

violate your pet’s trust in you; its trust is essential for pet-owner bonding. Don’t deceive a pet, using anticipated rewards to lure it to you for punishment. Don’t lose your temper, or your pet won’t feel secure around you.

Don’t

take your pet’s love for granted.

Don’t

yell at your pet when it’s misbehaving; that will probably excite the animal further, and encourage additional mayhem. Or it will scare the animal, and fear is not an acceptable training tactic.

Don’t

expect your pet to be perfect, nor to live up to human expectations. It can’t possibly meet them.

Don’t

place your pet in harm’s way. Read up and learn to see things from a less-thanhuman perspective – there are many dangers to animals that might not be dangerous to humans. Think things through, and use common sense.

For example…

Don’t

ever, ever, EVER leave your pet in your car on a hot day. This happens far too often; are people in denial, or just ignorant of science? It’s called the greenhouse effect, and it’s real. Inside a glass-enclosed space, temperatures rise quickly – and even a car with windows rolled down will experience dangerous increases in temperature. It doesn’t even have to be that hot out.

When the outside temperature is 72 degrees Fahrenheit, your car’s inside temperature will increase to 116 degrees within an hour. When it’s 80 out, it can increase to 99 inside your car within 10 minutes. At 85 outside, it will take only minutes to breach 100 inside your car.

These situations are dangerous to any living thing inside a car; they can cause heatstroke, irreversible organ damage, or even death. Either leave your pet at home, or let it out of the car and take it with you. It’s just that simple.

While you avoid doing this with your pets, be on the lookout for petowners who aren’t as smart as you.

There are too many people who don’t get it. They think, “Oh, it’s only for a couple minutes; Duchess will be fine.”

Wrong. Or they think, “It’s nobody else’s business whether I leave Bruno in the car.” Also wrong. Many municipalities have laws against endangering an

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animal that way, so if you see a pet locked inside a car, you are right to do everything you can to save it.

Record the car’s make, model, and tag number. Try to find the owner via local businesses; if someone parked near a store, they probably went into it, and you can ask the store manager or security guard to make an announcement. If they can’t find the owner quickly, call the local police or animal control, then wait by the car and monitor the animal until they arrive.

Consider these tips, and you and Marmalade will be fast friends for as long as s/he lives – a time period that will undoubtedly be extended by proper pet care.

the Dos and

Don’ts

OF

Petiquette Having a pet entails two sorts of commitments – obviously, you are committed to the pet, but how committed are you to the rest of the world? Adopting a pet changes your life, as you were willing to have happen – but remember, your neighbors might not be so willing.

This is another area where there’s a parallel to childcare – just as it often feels as if there’s nothing worse than dealing with the intrusive and/ or bad behavior of other people’s children, the same can be said of other people’s pets.

Petowners have a responsibility to the people who have to be around their pets; even if their behavior seems perfectly acceptable to us, it doesn’t mean it’s acceptable – or appropriate – to the people who live midtownmag.com | 75

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near us, visit us, and happen to cross our paths in public. Here’s a list of dos and don’ts to ensure you and your pet have good manners:

Do

keep your dog on a leash whenever you’re outside, and keep it leashed close to you and firmly in your control.

Some people don’t want to be approached by another person’s dog, and they deserve to have that wish honored. Plus, it’s probably illegal to not have Buster on a leash.

Do

clean up your pet’s waste. Pet poop is gross, unsightly, smelly, unsanitary, and a potential health hazard. It should be disposed of properly, as is probably dictated by local laws.

Do

keep your pet’s collar, ID, and rabies tag on it all the time. You never know when the leash might break, and Bailey might make a break for it. A collar and rabies tag are good etiquette, because they will let strangers know your pet is neither a stray nor a health risk. And an ID tag is just good pet care, because it will help people return your beloved pet to you.

Do

be aware of other people’s feelings.

Some people are just not pet-friendly; others are downright terrified of the animals we willingly bring into our lives. Still others might like animals, but prefer to keep them at a safe, clean distance.

Do

socialize your dog – with adults, children, and other dogs. That way, Millie will learn the appropriate behavior and boundaries associated with each group, and she also will be less likely to freak out when she inevitably meets up with a member of any of them.

Do

exercise your dog. It will be less likely to seek out ways to release pentup energy, which often results in inappropriate behavior – sometimes around other people.

Don’t

allow your dog to bark excessively. Be in tune with the noises it’s making.

You might be used to them, but you have no right to inflict them on your unsuspecting neighbors.

When outside,

Don’t

warn potential visitors that you have pets before they come over; you never know who might be badly allergic to sweet little Domino.

allow your dog to approach someone unless they ask. And DON’T allow it to approach another dog without first asking that dog’s owner for permission. If someone doesn’t want your dog near them, it is incumbent on you to honor that wish, and keep your dog close at heel.

Do

Don’t

Do

train your dog. At the very least, teach 76 | midtownmag.com

it some basic commands that will keep it out of trouble, like “down,” “sit,” “stay,” “heel,” “come,” “leave it,” etc. Teach your dog how to behave when meeting other dogs; this often happens on walks, and if Gregor wants to play, he should’t do so while on a leash. Other dogs might not like it, and it could result in injury.

Teach him when it’s appropriate to play, and when it’s not.

ask your friends to take care of your

pet for you, unless you’re willing to reciprocate.

Don’t

allow your pet to go into your neighbors’ yards. Your dog or cat might urinate in their garden, trample their flowers, defecate on or dig in their nicely manicured lawn, upset their pets, or leaved dirty paw prints on their car or other belongings. It’s a lesson all of us should have learned, pet or no – respect other people’s property.

Don’t

allow your pet to jump on visitors in your home, or passers-by outside of it. You might think, “It just means Dakota likes them!” But they might think, “Yikes!”

Don’t

take your pet with you when you visit someone, unless they specifically invited you to do so.

(And don’t ask if you can bring Wellington with you, or even drop hints – that’s just awkward.)

If you’re invited to bring your pet,

Don’t

allow it to jump on your host’s furniture. What’s allowable in your home, might not be in others’ homes.

Don’t

let your cat out at night. You don’t know whose property Ginger is destroying, or whose sleep is being disturbed by Jasper’s caterwauling.

Keep these tips in mind, and your friends, family and neighbors will likely enjoy your relationship with your pet just as much as you do.

Now, go out and get one! midtownmag.com | 77

FOUR LEGGED

SUPERSTARS

By Christa Gala

Animals have a unique way of helping humans to heal, whether they’re certified therapy dogs or not. Does your dog have what it takes? Plus, meet some special animals that make a difference.

What is a therapy dog?

Although the idea of animals helping people seems relatively new, it’s actually been happening for centuries.

“As early as the ninth century in Gheel, Belgium, animals were used in the therapy of people with disabilities,” says Mary Burch, PhD, director of the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program. “And in the 1700s, the York Retreat in Yorkshire, England found that when mental patients learned to care for animals, physical restraint and harsh drugs could be avoided.”

If you think your dog has the temperament to be a therapy dog, he or she must first achieve the Canine Good Citizen Award. Here, Burch and Doug Ljungren, an AKC vice president who oversees the organization’s therapy dog certifications, answer a few questions.

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Q

What do therapy dogs do?

A “While the original purpose of therapy dogs was to comfort seniors or people with illnesses or disabilities, the therapeutic use of therapy dogs has expanded,” says Ljungren. “In addition to hospitals, assisted living and settings for people with disabilities, therapy dogs now go to schools and work with children on their reading, help veterans who have PTSD and are used in courtroom settings to help children who are afraid to testify.”

Q

What kind of training is involved?

a “match made in”

A “All therapy dogs should have basic good manners.

That’s why we encourage passing the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen test as a first step for therapy dogs,” says Burch. “After CGC, dogs should be registered with a therapy dog organization that has a testing procedure and provides liability insurance to the owner and dog for therapy dog activities.” (See www.akc.org/akctherapydog under ORGANIZATIONS for a list of registering organizations.)

Q

Can any dog be a therapy dog?

A “All dogs aren’t suited for therapy work,” says Burch.

“In addition to the basic training and skills required, dogs should have the right temperament. They should want to interact with people and enjoy the interaction. When a therapy dog visits someone, the person should be thinking, ‘This dog loves me,’ not ‘This dog tolerates me.’”

Q

What traits won’t work well?

A “Certainly any dog with behavior problems, especially aggression, is not a good candidate for therapy work,” says Burch. “Dogs who are aloof and don’t care for meeting new people aren’t the best therapy dogs.”

heaven

By Christa Gala

Q If my dog isn’t suited for dog therapy, does that mean I did something wrong?

A “A dog owner shouldn’t feel bad if his or her dog isn’t right for therapy work,” says Burch. “If you love your dog and your dog loves you, that’s good enough.

If your dog is not cut out for animal-assisted therapy but you’re driven to get involved in therapy work, you can volunteer with a local program and help handle other dogs.”

Q

Is there anything else to consider?

A “It’s important to make sure that you really have a desire to help people before starting animal-assisted therapy work,” says Burch. “While this is a dog activity, the main focus should be the people – from babies to seniors – you and your dog will be visiting. Making their lives better is what this is all about.”

Q

How can I learn more about classes?

A “AKC doesn’t train or certify therapy dogs,” says Ljungren, “but many of our AKC training clubs have therapy dog classes or basic training classes that teach the skills needed for therapy work. You can find an AKC club or Canine Good Citizen class near you at www.akc.org.”

Ronnie Sadoski loves animals, and he loves veterans. In June 2012, he and a woman named Terri Stober launched the non-profit Wags4Tags, Inc. which matches shelter dogs with veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury related to combat.

“We noticed that there was a need,” says Sadoski, CEO of the non-profit. “North Carolina has the highest kill rate in the nation, and we’re ranked number three in the nation of having the highest military population with active and inactive military.”

So why not connect the two groups to facilitate healing and unconditional trust?

Stober and Sadoski met while both were working as district managers for a similar organization based in California, but the group decided to close its North Carolina chapter.

“Terri and I sat down and said, ‘We’ve made a lot of progress; do we want to just let it go or do we keep all our volunteers and keep on going?’” says Sadoski.

“That’s how Wags4Tags was born.”

For Sadoski, it’s personal. He knows first-hand how a dog can save a veteran’s life. “I do it because my Sadie, my German Shepherd, saved my life when I was in a dark place, and I was deciding to take my life,” says Sadoski.

To date, Wags4Tags has made 22 matches. Once a qualified veteran fills out an application, Sadoski conducts a phone interview followed by a home visit.

“The reason for the home visit is that I want to

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Upcoming Wags4Tags events

“If I have a good feeling that this dog is the part of the veteran that’s missing then I do a meet-and-greet with September 13th the veteran and the dog. If it’s a good Second Annual Music meeting, then I bring in the family. If that Festival from 4pm to goes well, it’s a match made in heaven.”

2 am at Doherty’s Irish

Most veterans train their dogs once Pub, Cary. a week with assistance from professional trainers, provided they live within 100 October 2nd miles of Lap it Up, the Wags4Tags Saving a Pet ‘n’ Vet 5k; training facility in Durham. If veterans 8:30am at 4704 Fayettelive farther than that, there are other ville Road in Durham; Fun options, including rescue groups close run at 11am. Early bird to their homes and training programs registration is $35. Visit at correctional institutions. The latter, a www.petsforvets5k.com program called New Leash on Life, uses for more information. inmates from minimum- and moderatesecurity prisons to train animals under the October 31ST close supervision of professional trainers.

Golf tourney (details TBD)

The regular instruction between veteran and dog yields amazing results.

“Within a couple of weeks, you start seeing this veteran open up,” says Sadoski. “They’re smiling; they’re talking more when they come to training. They’re meeting other veterans. They’re coming out of their shell and leaving the home.

I have one veteran who, before he got his dog, couldn’t even walk his children to the bus stop, which was right down the road from his front door. Once he got his K-9, he was able to take the children to the bus stop and wait for them after school.”

For more information, visit www.wags4tags.org.

80 | midtownmag.com

SAFE Haven for Cats, the oldest no-kill cat shelter in the Triangle, is a flourishing non-profit dedicated to finding loving homes for every cat rescued. With a passion for individuality, no two cats have shared a name in the more than 6,500 adoptions the shelter has provided. What’s more, in 2001, the organization opened an affordable spay/neuter clinic resulting in the sterilization of more than 17,000 cats and small dogs to date.

Executive Director Pam Miller was moved to start the shelter as an animal lover, and advocate of the no-kill movement.

“The beauty of the no-kill model of sheltering is it gives us the opportunity to save every adoptable, orphaned, injured, treatable, shy or not quite ‘perfect’ cat and kitten,” says Miller.

In July of 1994, SAFE Haven for Cats was officially formed with the rescue of 17 cats from a Raleigh church. Since then the shelter has grown as a leading North Carolina shelter, helping lower the national statistics of euthanized animals. “It is mind-blowing to think that when I started SAFE Haven, nearly 17 million cats and dogs were being euthanized each year,” says Miller. “Now, that statistic has dropped to just over 4 million. Although there is definitely work to be done, it’s encouraging to know that progress has been made.”

The shelter showcases creative programs to address the needs of every cat. From the Happy Cats Crew to the Mature Companion’s Program, each cat has the resources to help their needs, whether it is cat-to-cat testing, body language interpretation, or even medical treatment programs and hospice for elderly cats.

So, what’s on the horizon for SAFE Haven? Short term – the annual Run for Their Lives 5k on October 4th. Long term – SAFE Haven is looking to build a better equipped facility where the adoption program and clinic can be under one roof.

For more information about SAFE Haven for Cats, visit SAFEHavenforcats.org.

photograph © St. John Photography

meet them and their family,” he says. “I want their spouse to be there and their children. I want to be able to observe if they have any other pets and how well-groomed or well-kept these other pets are, how well-behaved the children are. Are these going to be children that are going to be pulling ears and tails, or are they going to be nice to the animals?”

Dogs aren’t selected by breed, but by temperament and sometimes by size if there are physical disabilities to consider.

Sadoski and Stober work with high-kill shelters across the state to identify good matches.

t e e m photograph © St. John Photography

Qdaddy

and

Willie

By Christa Gala

Jenn Eachus, DVM, owner of the Cary Cat Clinic, is a big softie for animals with special needs.

She first started doing pet therapy visits six years ago with her cat, Willie, who she found in a dumpster as a kitten.

“Willie was born with a spinal condition that prevents him from being able to urinate without my help,” says Eachus. “He was also born with a Herpes viral infection in one of his eyes, which had to be surgically removed.

Willie is the coolest cat ever and is never not by my side.

He goes to work with me daily, shops with me, travels with me, goes boating and camping, and acclimates to whatever else we throw his way.”

As a veterinarian, Eachus is dedicated to taking care of special needs animals whenever she can. She had always wanted a French Bulldog and a few years ago began to search for one with special needs that was still good with dogs, cats and kids.

In January 2013, she adopted Quasi, also known as Q-Daddy.

“Once we met him, we knew he was meant to be with us, and we fell so head-over-heels in love with him,” says Eachus. “He was born with a spinal problem that adversely affects his ability to be able to walk correctly with his back legs. I also have to manually express midtownmag.com | 81

his bladder in order for him to urinate every four hours.

As a result, he travels to and from work with me daily and goes anyplace else that could potentially place us away from him for any longer than that.”

Defying the odds

Eachus had just adjusted to Q-Daddy’s challenges when she got devastating news.

“Three months after this little dude stole our heart, he came down with a very aggressive form of cancer that almost took his life in a 24-hour period of time,” she says. “We worked closely with our local veterinary oncologist who has worked with so many of our special needs cancer pets.”

Quasi’s prognosis was poor, but Eachus was extremely aggressive with his treatment and, amazingly, he survived.

“He is now a 17-month cancer survivor who takes regular oral chemotherapy three days a week,” says Eachus. “We also supplement him with lots of stuffy toy therapy playtime in order to keep his spirits up.”

A great team

Eachus decided that Q-Daddy might benefit from working as a therapy animal.

“I decided that the healing touches from these visits would be very beneficial not only to the people we visited, but to Quasi as well,” says Eachus. “And I have to tell you, I was right. He absolutely loves his visits with both the children and the seniors.

“Willie, Quasi and I now travel as a pet therapy team, as some people like dogs and some like cats,” continues Eachus. “It has worked out so well as we are able to cover everyone’s interests with our visits.”

Eachus takes Willie and Q-Daddy to Glenaire, SearStone, Cary Rehabilitation Center, Camp Musart and Cary Academy.

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N: O I T NA I T S DE

E G E L L O C By Illyse Lane

A

long time ago, in a village far, far away, I walked into my high school guidance counselor’s office. I was a junior, and it was my first time. I answered a few questions. She wrote a few notes. And then, she handed me a list – a list of colleges I should apply to.

Fast forward to the present. A present where freshmen are encouraged to begin thinking about college. A present where the pressure is on for students to have the right grades, the right test scores, the right community service, the right extracurricular activities, and the right summer program, along with an essay that shows they’re really something special.

Fact is, applying to college isn’t what it used to be. So what’s a kid to do? And as a parent, what can you do to help?

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Kristine Mears gets it.

As an independent educational consultant (IEC) and owner of Mears College Consulting LLC, Mears knows first-hand that the college application process can seem overwhelming. And there’s a reason why. Applying to college is not the same as it was 20 years ago. “In 1992, just over 54 percent of high school graduates went to college. Now that number is approximately 66 percent, an increase of 22 percent in just over 20 years,” says Mears. “There is also a huge increase in selectivity. With more students funneling in, colleges are now able to be more selective in who they choose to admit.”

But Mears isn’t flinching. And she doesn’t think you should be either. “Applying to college can be stressful because it is a competitive process,” says Mears, who specializes in assisting local families with the college admissions process. “But with over 3000 four-year institutions in the United States, there really is a school for everyone. The key is to make the process manageable by coming up with a plan that highlights exactly what should be accomplished over each of the four years of high school.”

Drawing the Road Map

The college planning process should ideally begin during the early years of high school – and yes, that means even as early as freshman year, when possible.

But let’s face it. During those first two years, before the dreaded junior year becomes a reality, college is more of an abstract idea for many, just floating in the background. The typical underclassman is more likely to be focused on adjusting to a new environment, juggling an increased course load and a budding social life.

Even so, it is not uncommon for school guidance counselors to reach out and let students know they are available to talk about course selection and other areas that can have an impact on college choices later on.

And while it may seem premature to encourage your young student to seek out the chance to connect with the guidance counselor, Mears suggests doing just that.

“Developing that relationship, even if it’s just saying ‘hello”, helps the counselor put a name with a face,” says Mears.

And why exactly is this important? Your child’s guidance counselor will be a resource throughout the college application process. This is the person that will send in the transcripts, write the recommendations, submit secondary school reports and make sure your child meets graduation requirements. “If you think of college planning as a road map, with specific stops along the way, making this introduction is a great early step for a student to take the lead and show interest in the situation,” says Mears.

Year-to-Year

Check List FreshmanYear Map out a plan of the courses you will take each year in high school.

Begin to familiarize yourself with college entrance requirements.

Engage in sports, clubs, community service or other activities that interest you. Begin a running list of activities, awards and recognitions. “This will be useful when completing college applications or a resume,” says Mears.

If vacationing, tour a college campus near your destination. A tour can provide insight on what you find appealing in a school (small or large, public or private, urban or rural).

Testing: Take the PSAT or Aspire if offered.

SophomoreYear Continue to pursue clubs, sports, and community service opportunities that interest you and continue your running list of activities, awards and recognitions.

Begin researching and comparing colleges.

If you are not able to visit a school in person, make use of virtual tours. “While not a replacement for an actual visit, a virtual tour is an excellent way to get information,” says Mears.

Consider taking a career interest inventory such as the Self Directed Search or the Do What You Are assessment.

Testing: Take the PSAT or Aspire if offered in the fall. For students who began early test prep, consider taking the ACT or SAT for baseline.

Your college list: Begin your college list with no more than 20 schools.

JuniorYear Continue to pursue clubs, sports and community service opportunities that interest you, and continue your running list of activities, awards and recognitions midtownmag.com | 85

Continue to visit schools and attend info sessions with college representatives. Always have a list of questions prepared.

Write, edit and have others review your personal statement. Colleges come out with the prompts in advance, and many have additional, short answer essays. Also consider writing a resume.

Ask teachers and counselors to write recommendations before summer. “This way, they will be writing the recommendations while they remember you,” says Mears.

Testing:

• Take the PSAT in October – juniors take the

test to qualify for National Merit scholarships.

• Take the ACT in December or February and

the SAT in November or December. Mears recommends taking both, with several practice tests before the testing day. In June, plan on retaking on the test you did best on to strive to improve your scores.

• Consider taking the SAT II Subject Tests.

Your college list: Refine your list to ten schools.

SeniorYear During first semester: By the time school begins, have your list of schools narrowed down between seven and 10.

Testing: If you want to improve your score, retake the ACT or the SAT. Meet with your guidance counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements.

Request transcripts and follow up on letters of recommendation.

Complete and submit college applications and scholarship applications prior to deadlines.

During second semester: Make sure financial aid applications are completed.

Make sure transcripts are sent in.

Consider acceptances.

The Parent's Path

The reality is that sending a child off to college is a milestone that affects the entire family. It’s a major investment not only financially, but also in your child’s future. So the most effective way to support your child as he or she begins the journey is to become educated in the process, understanding what should happen year to year. “By becoming educated, you become yet another resource for your child, working to support the effort he or she is putting forth in the classroom,” says Mears.

To get started on the right path, first look to your child’s high school. Most schools will host parent meetings and information sessions about the college process, and may even have a dedicated resource that will periodically reach out to parents with planning tips. Schools often have a part of their website exclusively devoted to the application process, with timelines and links to other resources. “Additionally, there are many reputable websites, such as the College Board’s site, that you can explore on your own,” suggests Mears.

But consider yourself warned. Since there is so much information available, it is not unusual to feel overwhelmed. If you’re having trouble making sense of it all, it may be the ideal time to enlist the help of an IEC.

The Custom Route

“An IEC will develop a customized plan suited for the needs of your child, based upon academics, athletics, extracurricular activities and long-term goals,” says Mears. “We are here to provide parents with a bit more hand-holding, but at the same time keep students engaged and accountable during the process.”

So how exactly does the planning process work? To begin, you can expect an IEC to talk with you and your child about what is desired in a college experience, including learning environments and potential fields of study. These discussions, combined with various assessments, will allow the IEC to develop an extensive list of safety, target and reach colleges, as well as construct a comprehensive action plan that will guide your child through the entire admissions process. “Our goal is to highlight the student’s strengths and improve upon any weaknesses, making your child a more competitive applicant,” says Mears.

You can also expect the IEC to maintain your relationship over the course of the planning process, assisting you in managing timelines and deadlines, along with reviewing personal

If Your Child Has A Disability…

Compare financial aid packages offered.

Once your decision is made, be mindful of important deadlines at your chosen college (housing, financial aid, etc.).

And, most importantly, even after that acceptance letter arrives, continue to take and earn good grades in challenging courses.

Second semester grades count!

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If your high school student is one of the millions of individuals with a disability, the college process can seem especially daunting. Help is on the way through UniversAbilityTM, a non-profit website founded by Dr. Chet Deshmukh of TherAcess.

Recognizing that students with disabilities may face a more unique set of challenges when heading off to college, UniversAbilityTM was developed to help connect families to reliable and official resources that can help with disability management as they navigate the college process. “Our goal is to

Suggested

Summer Activities Complete summer reading and other assigned work.

Consider a summer job in a field you are interested in. If you can’t find a job, consider volunteering in fields related to your interest.

This is the ideal time to enroll in PSAT/SAT/ ACT prep courses; depending on your testing schedule.

Schedule campus visits. Campuses may be quiet in the summer, but it’s a great time to meet the admissions officer and take a tour.

statements and helping to evaluate summer programs. “Working with an IEC means having a knowledgeable and professional partner for the entire journey,” says Mears.

Reach the Destination: The Checklist The college application process is indeed a journey. It’s a journey that is just beginning for many students as the new school year officially gets underway. To make sure your child is heading in the right direction, Mears has prepared a year-to-year checklist that you can find by simply flipping back one page. Let it be your guide as you navigate the college application process.

Happy travels!

enable students learn about the options, processes and regulations available to them through the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). We also support individuals and institutions to improve accessibility through universal design, Section 504 and Section 508,” says Dr. Deshmukh. “Most institutions will work with the student if the student takes the initiative to reach out to the office of disability services to seek help with accommodations.”

For more information, visit www.universability.com.

midtownmag.com | 87

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SCHOOLguide

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Let’s face it.

We are fortunate to live in an area where, when it comes to choosing a school for your children, choices abound. You could choose your base school or become a part of the magnet program. Maybe a charter school is a better fit? Or perhaps you’re searching for a small independent or private school, with a low student-teacher ratio or faith-based curriculum?

So how do you find the best fit for your family?

Here at Midtown Magazine, we want to help get you started. We’ve teamed up with some of the premier independent schools in the area to help you begin the research process. These elementary, middle and high schools have shared the scoop about their histories, academics and unique programs, ensuring that you’ll be able to find the school that’s right for you.

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2014 private school guide

Our L ady of Lourdes

2710 Overbrook Drive Raleigh, NC 27608 919.861.4610 pmueller@olls.org www.olls.org Our Lady of Lourdes School is excited to be celebrating our 60th anniversary this year!! Located in the heart of Raleigh, OLLS is a nationally recognized Kindergarten through 8th grade school that provides excellence in Catholic education to Raleigh and the surrounding area. Our Lady of Lourdes School provides a strong curriculum and diverse enrichment courses in subjects such as art, music, computer science, media and Spanish.

This is an exciting time for Our Lady of Lourdes School as we look forward to our next 60 years with optimism and enthusiasm, knowing that we have a rich history to draw from. We are looking toward the future in a big way as we anticipate the opening of our multi-dimensional recreational facility on our campus this winter. This center will provide a home for our excellent sports program as well as our fine arts department.

Our Lady of Lourdes School partners with parents to provide an affordable, quality education that focuses on the spiritual, intellectual, emotional and social growth of our students. We invite you to come witness our rich past and be a part of our strong future. Come grow with us!

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2014 private school guide

Ravenscroft

7409 Falls of Neuse Road Raleigh, NC 27615 919.847.0900 admissions@ravenscroft.org www.ravenscroft.org/admissions Lead From Here “I wish I had it earlier.”

Business leaders who have worked with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), one of the top five providers of executive education worldwide, consistently speak to the fact that they wish they had experienced the training earlier. Clients, including more than 80 of the Fortune 100, realize the benefit of working with a recognized authority in the field of leadership education and research, and they want their own children to experience it as they did.

Now, it is possible.

Lead From Here, a first-of-its-kind curriculum developed by Ravenscroft and CCL, provides children from Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 with comprehensive leadership development training. This transformative education a model builds on Ravenscroft’s foundation of academic excellence and grounds students in 15 competencies that empower them to become better citizens and leaders with the power to change their world.

“CCL is greatly privileged to partner with Ravenscroft on a truly pioneering initiative that will contribute to a better world – our first Research and Innovation Incubator with a Pre-K through 12 school,” said John Ryan, CEO of CCL, after the organization formalized a 10-year agreement with Ravenscroft. “Together, we will create a transformative educational model that will serve Ravenscroft for generations and influence the broader field of education.”

Using a framework based on rigorous research, Ravenscroft and CCL nurture students from the inside out to help them become effective and enlightened leaders. These future citizen leaders will enjoy deeply fulfilled lives, become positive contributors to society, and chart a positive course for themselves in increasingly complex times.

The future of the world is uncertain. Your child’s path in that world doesn’t have to be. midtownmag.com | 91

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2014 private school guide

St. David’s School

3400 White Oak Road Raleigh, NC 27609 919.782.3331 twilson@sdsw.org www.sdsw.org St. David’s School’s prestigious academic reputation is enhanced by the way it answers the question that Aristotle posed so many centuries ago: “Ought education to be directed more towards the intellect or towards the character of the soul?” Chairman of the Board Joe Knott answers that question by explaining that “St. David’s School is not an ‘either-or’ choice; it is a ‘both-and’ proposition.”

St. David’s is a rigorous college preparatory school with a commitment to biblical integration and development of virtue.

St. David’s students are accepted to and succeed in the most prestigious colleges in the country, and they do so as people of character who have been challenged in their faith, ready to engage the world in a significant way in the areas of faith, virtue and knowledge. Headmaster Kevin Lockerbie explains that St. David’s is a unique place that “combines a rigorous college preparatory program taught by Christian faculty members who intentionally integrate biblical truth in and out of the classroom.”

St. David’s students leave as critical thinkers who embrace who they are as whole people. Students and their families do not have to check their faith at the door to engage academically, and conversely, they do not have to leave behind academic excellence to engage spiritually. Students are encouraged to think for themselves, to reason through difficult problems of all types, and to develop intellectually through wrestling with difficult challenges.

The school’s world-class faculty members engage their students at the very highest level, and they do so as Christians. This preparation of the whole person equips students to succeed in college and life.

St. David’s is an independent Episcopal school that prepares young men and women for college and life by providing challenging opportunities to excel in the vital areas of faith, virtue and knowledge.

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2014 private school guide

Saint M ary ’s School

900 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, NC 27603 919.424.4100 admission@sms.edu www.sms.edu Saint Mary’s School is an independent, Episcopal, college preparatory, boarding and day school for girls in grades 9-12.

Dedicated to academic excellence and personal achievement since 1842, Saint Mary’s School looks at life academically, socially and spiritually. The integrated, hands-on academic program is demanding. Saint Mary’s School works with students to build a strong academic and personal foundation, guided by the habits of a lifelong learner, including critical thinking, communication and character.

The leadership curriculum builds responsible citizens and community ambassadors. Outside the classroom, dozens of sports, clubs, music studies and volunteer opportunities are available. The school’s Episcopal tradition inspires students to grow as young woman of integrity and honor.

Saint Mary’s School wants each girl to find her courage – to be herself, to expand her horizons and to open her heart and mind to new ideas and experiences.

“At Saint Mary’s, we’ll help you find the courage to believe in yourself – and do more than you ever thought possible.”

Day Student Shadow Days September 22nd October 13th Admission Overnight and Visitation Days November 10th-11th January 11th-12th Please call the Admission Office at 919.424.4100 to register for these events or arrange for a campus visit.

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2014 private school guide

St. Timothy ’s School 4523 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609 919.781.0531 cclement@sttimothys.org www.sttimothys.org An Episcopal prep school tradition since 1958.

Located in the heart of Raleigh’s Midtown, St. Timothy’s School is an independent Episcopal school serving students in Pre-K through 8th grade. Small class sizes, dedicated teachers and a warm, nurturing school community are hallmarks of the school.

St. Timothy’s enjoys a rich history of tradition while embracing innovations that keep it on the forefront of academic excellence. Recent student accomplishments include placements at the Raleigh Regional Science Olympiad, North Carolina State Science and Engineering Fair, North Carolina Middle School Battle of the Books and NC State Geographic Bee. Outstanding performing and fine arts programs include band, chorus, drama and an award-winning visual arts program that claimed multiple gold key winners in the regional competition of the prestigious Scholastic Arts Competition.

In addition to cheerleading, the Titan athletic program fields 13 competitive teams in the Capital Area Middle School Conference: soccer, volleyball, tennis, cross country, track and field, basketball, golf and baseball. St. Timothy’s student-athletes consistently advance to championship level conference play.

After-school care and after-school enrichment classes are available to students. A varied summer camp program is available to students as well as the public.

Weekly chapel services, character education and a school-wide emphasis on community service combine to affirm the mission of St. Timothy’s: a commitment to educational excellence and the emotional, physical and spiritual growth of children in an environment where traditional Christian values are emphasized.

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2014 private school guide

The Raleigh School

1141 Raleigh School Drive Raleigh, NC 27607 919.546.0788 NAEYC, SAIS & SACS Accredited www.raleighschool.org Dear Parent, If you have a young child and are exploring preschool and/or elementary school options, we encourage you to continue reading about The Raleigh School. Our intentional focus on preschool and elementary education stems from our belief that a child’s early learning experiences are essential in establishing positive habits of mind and solid critical thinking skills upon which all future learning can flourish.

Founded in 1952, The Raleigh School serves 136 preschoolers (ages 2-5 years old) and 264 elementary students (Kindergarten-5th grade).

At our core, we believe that children are born eager to learn, and when provided a safe, respectful and engaging environment that emphasizes creativity, collaboration and inquiry, a child can fully invest him- or herself in the learning process.

As a cooperative community of children, parents and teachers, we consider parent involvement to be an essential contributor to the educational success of children and ask our school parents to actively participate as partners in their child’s school experience.

As a non-sectarian school, we welcome families of all faiths and religious beliefs. We value diversity and seek to create a school community which encompasses all aspects of humanity including racial and cultural identity, sexual orientation, age, gender and socioeconomic status.

Choosing a school which aligns with your family’s values is important. We invite you to explore The Raleigh School by scheduling a visit where you will learn more about our rigorous academic program and, most importantly, see our students and teachers in their learning environment. Our campus is nestled on 14 beautiful wooded acres in West Raleigh near the PNC Arena, convenient to Raleigh and Cary.

We hope to meet you soon! midtownmag.com | 95

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2014 private school guide

Trinit y Academy of Raleigh 10224 Baileywick Road Raleigh, NC 27613 919.786.0114 admissions@trinityacademy.com www.trinityacademy.com Nestled within a wooded 38-acre campus, Trinity Academy is bustling with 350 students – spanning grades transitionalKindergarten through 12. Trinity integrates authentic Christianity with rigorous academics. Our highly skilled faculty is excellent in their craft but also truly invested in the lives of students. We focus on the classical arts and sciences and offer a full array of high-quality, competitive athletics and award-winning fine arts. Trinity rivals the best schools in the region, boasting 100% college acceptance and generous per-student college scholarship offers.

At Trinity, we begin with the end in view, asking “what skills, what knowledge, what virtues, what experiences must our graduates possess?” We then craft a “top-down, 12 to TK” curriculum. You’ll find that we don’t use the latest or most popular instructional materials and methods. We use methods and materials that have stood the test of time. Our approach to education doesn’t work because it is classical. It is classical because it works.

Perhaps as important as our approach to academics is our approach to student spiritual formation. Alarming statistics indicate that the vast majority of young people leave the faith when they leave home for college. At Trinity, we believe this happens because students are not given the opportunity to wrestle, test and even doubt their faith in ways that ultimately prove their faith. It is hard to defend a faith that is not your own, but only borrowed from parents, pastors or a youth minister.

College should not be the first time our students hear a salient challenge to their childhood beliefs. Therefore, we offer students a safe place to work through their questions, doubts and fears, while surrounded by godly mentors who care about them and their relationship with Christ. Our approach is this: We don’t tell our students what to think.

We teach them how to think.

We invite you to discover the Trinity difference during a personal or group tour.

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As a co-educational, college preparatory school, Cardinal Gibbons High School is committed to providing a thriving academic environment that involves outstanding academic, spiritual, fine arts, athletic and extracurricular programs, as well as incredible community outreach endeavors. Students annually capture state sports championships as well as art and academic awards. Newly expanded learning spaces, updated technology, and a one-to-one computing initiative promote innovative experiences and expose students to modes of expression, collaboration, and problem solving they will encounter in college and beyond. One hundred percent of our students are accepted to a college of their choice, and are inspired to lead, serve and achieve.

1401 Edwards Mill Road Raleigh, NC 27607 919.834.1625 jcurtis@cghsnc.org www.cghsnc.org Jason D. Curtis, Principal

C athedral School 204 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, NC 27603 919.832.4711 www.cathedral-school.net Donna J. Moss, Principal Cathedral School, founded in 1909, offers our diverse Pre-K-8th grade student body the opportunity to participate in a nationally recognized program using our downtown Raleigh location as an extended campus.

The Cathedral Experience emphasizes the five C’s: critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, and Catholic identity. Our teachers integrate cutting-edge technology to enhance the academic achievement of our students as they develop on a continuum where process is valued as much as product. They teach with a mind-set of individual growth, and build a true learning relationship with each student that is essential to a successful and Christ-centered experience. midtownmag.com | 97

2014 private school guide

C ardinal Gibbons High School

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1 Our Lady of Lourdes

2710 Overbrook Drive, Raleigh

olls.org

919.861.4610

2 Ravenscroft

7409 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh

ravenscroft.org/admissions

919.847.0900

3 St. David’s School

3400 White Oak Road, Raleigh

sdsw.org

919.782.3331

4 Saint Mary’s School

900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh

sms.edu

919.424.4100

5 St. Timothy’s School

4523 Six Forks Road, Raleigh

sttimothys.org

919.781.0531

6 The Raleigh School

1141 Raleigh School Drive, Raleigh

raleighschool.org

919.546.0788

7 Trinity Academy of Raleigh

10224 Baileywick Road, Raleigh

trinityacademy.com

919.786.0114

8 Cardinal Gibbons High School

1401 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh

cghsnc.org

919.834.1625

9 Cathedral School

204 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh

cathedral-school.net

919.832.4711

2014 Raleigh

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Staying home just keeps getting

better

By Christa Gala

Every Parade of Homes entry started as a flat sketch on a drafting table. The finished product is our best indicator of what new-home buyers are looking for.

How do we really live in our homes today?

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“The Lawrence” in Ansley will be in the Wake County-Raleigh Parade of Homes for three weekends in October; the 3,000-square-foot home, within walking distance to the Raleigh Racquet Club, is listed for $520,000.

Simpler and Smarter

Remember the days of the McMansion? Sure you do: the bigger, the better. Those homes can still be found, of course, but this you’ll see more manageable, less showy homes. Many want to scale back a bit in both square footage and maintenance.

“It’s a big trend in housing,” says Mary Ann Kohn, a real estate agent for Fonville Morisey Barefoot and the on-site agent for Yorkchester Place off Six Forks Road in Raleigh. “When we went through the bubble, I think everyone realized less is more. We don’t need space just for the sake of having space. It has to be usable; floorplans are getting smarter and more multi-functional.”

North Raleigh’s Yorkchester Place features low-maintenance homes with smart, simple floorplans that maximize space.

It’s hard to imagine going through a Parade home today that doesn’t have a sophisticated home office or theater room. But in the 90s, those concepts weren’t even around. Instead, walk-in closets and eat-in kitchens were all the rage (and still are).

So how are today’s new homes different from those even 10 years ago?

This year, the Home Builders Association of Raleigh-Wake County will sponsor the 49th annual Parade of Homes the weekends of October 4th-5th, 10th-12th and 17th-19th from noon to 5pm. Thousands will tour new homes in Wake County to see the latest and greatest in home design and staging.

Some come to ooh and ahh, others to gather ideas and still others to buy. If you join the Parade, here’s what you might find.

Yorkchester Place is a 25-home community that offers a good mix of what today’s buyers are looking for.

“Homes range from 2,500 to 2,900 square feet,” says Kohn. “All have main-level masters and half have both main-level masters and guest suites on that first floor, which is very popular.”

It seems stairs are over-rated these days.

Almost all Arthur Rutenberg Homes in Raleigh feature at least one master downstairs.

“And we’re getting more requests for two of the bedrooms down,” adds David Schenck, owner of the North Raleigh Arthur Rutenberg location, which is featuring two Parade entries in The Reserve in Wake Forest.

Aging in place

Having at least one bed and bath on the first floor is a trend that will likely continue. In 2011, the oldest of the Baby Boomer generation turned 65. In 2012, Boomers comprised more than 24 percent of the US population, according to the US Census Bureau, contributing toward a midtownmag.com | 101

Arthur Rutenberg Homes is featuring its model home in Seville, a premier collection of 14 estate homes in North Raleigh.

demand of age-in-place features like first-floor masters and wider wheelchair-accessible doorways.

Schenck says some of the Arthur Rutenberg plans feature master showers with a lower threshold – one that could easily be made to accommodate a wheelchair.

And many tubs and toilets will be what’s called “chair height” or “comfort height” as recommended by the American Disability Association, says Alicia Julien, manager of Bird Decorative Hardware and Bath in Raleigh.

Many of this year’s Parade entries are low or no maintenance. Typically more popular in age-restricted communities or townhome properties, busy lifestyles today have many folks wanting less work to do at home.

Faucets as art

What’s Trending in the Bath and Kitchen?

It might sound cliché, but kitchens and baths really do sell homes. The Parade of Homes is the perfect place to check out what’s hot in New York and LA that could be coming to a home near you.

Alicia Julien is the manager of Bird Decorative Hardware and Bath in Raleigh, with four other locations in Wilmington, Charlotte, Charleston and Bluffton, SC. She’s working on several Parade homes in the Triangle; here’s what you might see: 102 | midtownmag.com

“Our trend is more toward less maintenance, so our lots are smaller,” says Kohn of Yorkchester Place. “The front yards and the side yards are taken care of through the HOA. But the back yards, we found everyone kind of wants to do their own thing. Some people have pets, some people want to do gardens and some want outdoor living spaces.”

At Yorkchester Place, less maintenance includes landscaping in the front and side yards, but repairs to the home, like maintaining siding, are not included. The materials used are lower maintenance, says Kohn.

“Everything is fiber cement siding, stone or brick, with minimal wood products used.”

Wide open spaces

Open concept floorplans are very popular this year, making homes feel bigger than they are.

“I think what’s important to buyers is the openness and the size of the kitchen that make it good for entertaining,” says Evelyn John, a realtor with Fonville Morisey Barefoot and the on-site agent for Ansley, a 35-home subdivision off Falls of Neuse Road, between Millbrook and Spring Forest Road and within walking distance to the Raleigh Racquet Club. “So many people started entertaining more at home instead of going out these last few years just because of the economy.”

“We have one builder who’s using the Waterworks Ludlow faucet. The Ludlow is this fun faucet that’s industrial looking, with clean yet soft lines,” says Julien. “The escutcheon base is square with exposed screws; it’s so different than anything else in the decorative hardware and bath world.

Waterworks is known for its unique designs. They put such great thought into their intricate designs and make sure that every detail is perfect and proportionate. The end product turns out to be a piece of art.

Crystal knobs

photograph © Waterworks

photograph © Waterworks

Unlacquered brass

“It’s all the rage for plumbing and door hardware right now,” says Julien, adding the Wall Street Journal wrote about it last summer and there’s been an uptick in interest ever since. “It’s been around for years and has always been popular in markets with older homes, like Historic Oakridge and Saint Mary’s Street here Raleigh.

It’s a living finish that starts off bright and shiny and will patina over time.”

“Cabinet hardware is the jewelry of your kitchen and bathroom,” says Julien. “Crystal has made a comeback. I personally don’t think it ever went out of style. There are so many variations – the cut diamond look, simple crystal ball, square crystal knobs fun for traditional and contemporary.”

Stainless still rules

You’ll still find matching stainless and brushed nickel faucets with stainless steel appliances. “Pull-down faucets are most popular, but expect to see gorgeous bridge faucets with separate hot and cold handles,” says Julien. “Polished chrome will be the kitchen alternative for brushed nickel.”

John’s model and a Parade entry, “The Lawrence,” is a two-story home, roughly 3,000 square feet and listed for $520,000.

Schenck says both of his Parade entries feature open concepts and large islands for entertaining. The first home on lot 34 offers an open plan, curved staircase and an expansive living area and kitchen, the latter with a massive island.

“It’s probably one of the biggest islands we’ve ever built,” says Schenck of the nearly 4,000-square-foot home listed for $700,000. Schenck’s second Parade entry is a 3,600-square-foot home with the master down and

‘Beautiful Havens’ Forget the citronella candles and outdoor lawn furniture. Today’s outdoor spaces feel like the great indoors, designed and accessorized only after a lot of care and planning, says Shawna Sowder, a creative landscape designer and owner of Oxford Green, who’s working on the outdoor areas of as many as nine Parade of Homes entries.

“The outdoor living area, it’s a new nucleus for a family,” says Sowder. “It’s where people gather and congregate; it’s where people are planning their events.”

The biggest mistake homeowners make, she says, is to make decisions too quickly.

“There’s planning that goes into creating the magic of the outdoor space. It begins early in the building process. So before the pavers go down and before the infrastructure goes into place, you need a great strategy for how people will move in a space.”

Consider not only hardscape, like pavers and fountains, but also furnishings, like estate pottery and planters.

Many of Sowder’s clients have been waiting for a chance to create outdoor space that goes beyond a traditional patio or screened porch.

“A lot of times my clients are women in their fifties,” says Sowder. “The kids are away at school or in college; they’ve been waiting for this all their life. This is a transition point for them and they want to be able to entertain their extended family; maybe their kids are getting married or they have grandkids. They want a place to separate themselves and relax. They want a beautiful haven.”

Since our demands on outdoor space are increasing, many these days are choosing to work with designers – because it’s a much bigger investment than furniture and a few candles.

“You want it to not feel like an afterthought,” says Sowder. “You want it to be a seamless transition and to reflect your personality.”

The biggest mistakes? Not making it big enough and not designing an outdoor space that’s cohesive with the architecture of the home.

The architecture of the home dictates the choices,” Sowder says. “We want scale of outdoor space to be in proportion to home.”

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an outdoor fireplace, listed for $629,000.

Both Parade entries feature a wall of sliding glass doors to bring the outside in and to provide abundant access to outdoor entertaining.

“During all the shoulder seasons, you can open the doors,” says Schenck.

“They’re not the old-fashioned sliders that people remember when they were kids.”

Outdoor fireplaces and kitchens also extend the season and expand the room of the house. Schenck typically builds a pool and an outdoor kitchen in all model homes to illustrate what can be done outdoors; his newest model is in North Raleigh’s Seville subdivision, a community of 14 estate homes.

Two things that haven’t changed

The master bedroom and bath still combine for a relaxing retreat.

“You’ll still see luxurious master bathrooms with freestanding tubs; these are timeless,” says Julien. “Showers will still have rainheads and handhelds, which have become a staple in the master bath. Handhelds are great for cleaning, rinsing legs after shaving and washing the dog.”

The colors and finishes have changed a bit, however. Instead of taupes and cream tones, you’re likely to see more grays and blues. And you’ll see simpler finishes in fixtures like lighting and faucets.

“More and more people are getting away from the oil-rubbed bronze,” says Evelyn John of Ansley. “We still offer it, but our standard is chrome, and then we have the option of going to the brushed nickel. The chrome and brushed nickel are what most people are using.”

Storage hasn’t gone out of style, either. Expect to see drawers, benches, cubbies and hooks as well as technology stations to store tablets, phones and other devices. You’ll notice storage upgrades in the master closet especially.

“The goal of a really well-designed master closet is that all of your clothes are in the closet; you don’t need dresser drawers in the bedroom to warehouse your clothes,” says Schenck.

In Yorkchester Place, Kohn says all floorplans have “drop-zones”, also known as “mud rooms.”

“When you come in from your garage, you have a bench with cubbies and hooks to drop your stuff and get organized,” she says. “Those are in all of our homes and are still very popular.”

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(Bathroom)

yourHome

Everyone has one…

They come in all shapes and sizes. We are talking bathrooms! With so many styles out there, it’s hard to pick just the right accessory. So we’re not!

Here are some décor ideas for your bathroom…find the right one for your style.

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1. Oxford Green/$849.50 >Crystal chandelier

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2. Ten Thousand Villages/$54 >Cotton block-print robe

3. Revival Antiques/$22 / $18 >Soap dish / Amber soap pump

4. DT&Co/$245

>Vintage brass towel bar

5. BeyondBlue Interiors/$46 / $38

>Aquiesse aesthetic scents –

Reed diffuser set / Candle

6. Bird Decorative Hardware & Bath/call for pricing >Wyatt one-piece elongated toilet

7. Ora Designers/Fine Jewelers/$39/ $19 (sm), $25 (lg) >Vanity tray / Canisters

8. Hunt & Gather, Glenwood Ave./ $90/each >Hand painted waste basket

9. Affordable Chic Shops/$15/each

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>Bathroom caddy (can be monogramed)

champagne holder

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calendar ofevents

September/October 2014

First Friday Gallery Events September 5 – The Color Of Hope Group Show October 3 – Kaleidoscope Local Color Gallery | 22 Glenwood Avenue Raleigh | www.localcoloraleigh.com

Joel Lane Museum House presents a lecture September 7 | 2pm 160 South Saint Mary’s St. | Raleigh www.joellane.org

Justin Townes Earle September 13 | 8pm The Carolina Theatre | Durham 919.560.3040, ext. 224 aaron@carolinatheatre.org

The Thin Man & Sorry & Wrong Number September 5 | 7pm The Carolina Theatre | Durham 919.560.3040, ext. 232 jim@carolinatheatre.org

National Grandparents Day at the Museum September 7 NC Museum of History | Raleigh www.ncmuseumofhistory.org

Pay It Forward Fundraiser Party September 13 | 7pm Renaissance Raleigh Hotel at North Hills www.caringcommunityfoundation.org

john Hodgeman September 5 | 8pm The Carolina Theatre | Durham 919.560.3040, ext. 224 aaron@carolinatheatre.org

4TH ANNUAL WINE AND CHEESE TASTING to benefit alzheimers north carolina September 10 | 4-6pm Woodland Terrace Senior Living 300 Kildaire Woods Drive | Cary | RSVP: info@outreachnc.com or 919.535.8713

Beth Shalom Synagogue Prospective Member Open House September 14 | 11am-1pm 5713 Yates Mill Pond Road | Raleigh www.bethshalomnc.org

Friday Night Tributes September 5, 12, 19, 26 | 7-9pm October 3, 10, 17 | 7-9pm Midtown Park at North Hills www.northhillsevents.com

Grateful Living Fundraiser Sale – Preview Party September 11 | 6-9pm The Green Chair Project | 1853 Capital Blvd.

Raleigh | www.thegreenchair.org

Premiere of a Bob Krantz Film “Christmas with the Karountzoses” September 6 | 3:30-6pm Needham B. Broughton High School Auditorium | 723 Saint Mary’s Street Raleigh | www.holytrinityraleigh.org

The Carolina Theatre presents Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band September 11 | 8pm The Carolina Theatre | Durham 919.560.3040, ext. 224 aaron@carolinatheatre.org

Triangle Wine Experience Piggypalooza September 6 | 7pm www.twenc.org

Activate Raleigh 9/11 Day of Service September 11 www.activategood.org

73rd Annual North Carolina Gourd Arts and Crafts Festival And American Gourd Society 2nd National Show September 6-7 9am-5pm Saturday; 10am-4pm Sunday Holshouser Building | State Fairgrounds Raleigh | www.ncgourdsociety.org/festival BRIDAL OPEN HOUSE September 7 | 12:30-4:30pm

The Write Image

1251 Kildaire Farm Road

Cary | 919.468.0468

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Ferris Bueller’s Day Off & Real Genius September 12 | 7pm The Carolina Theatre | Durham 919.560.3040, ext. 232 jim@carolinatheatre.org 33rd Annual Greek Festival September 12, 5-10pm September 13, 11am-10pm September 14, 11am-6pm The Jim Graham Building | State Fairgrounds Raleigh | www.greekfestivalraleigh.com

Healing Hands for Arthritis September 17 Massage Envy Spa | 1473 Beaver Creek Commons | www.massageenvy.com Cirque Italia September 17-21 Villa Latina Plaza – Near International Foods 3424 Olympia Drive | Raleigh http://cirqueitalia.com/tickets/ Artist Jose Jimenez – Horizons September 18 | 6-8pm ArtSource Fine Art Gallery & Framing 4351-107 The Circle at North Hills Street www.artsource-raleigh.com Joel Lane Museum House presents a Tavern Party in the Gardens September 18 | 6:30-8:30pm (Rain date September 19) 160 South Saint Mary’s St. | Raleigh www.joellane.org Wine Walk for Charity September 18 | 6-8pm Lafayette Village | Raleigh lafayettevillageraleigh.com

9th Annual Racquets for Research September 12-13 North Hills Racquet Club | Raleigh www.jimmyv.org

Thirsty Thursday...

“Conversation with DT” September 18 | 4-9pm DT & Co | 203 E. Whitaker Mill Rd. Raleigh | dt@dtandcompany.com

Grateful Living Fundraiser Sale September 12-13 | 10am-5pm September 14 | 1-5pm The Green Chair Project | 1853 Capital Blvd.

Raleigh | www.thegreenchair.org

Keb’ Mo’ September 18 | 8pm The Carolina Theatre | Durham 919.560.3040, ext. 224 aaron@carolinatheatre.org

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VanEli Trunk Show September 19 Main & Taylor | North Hills Shopping Center www.mainandtaylorshoes.com NC Symphony Opening Weekend: Branford Marsalis & Grant Llewellyn September 19-20 | 8pm Meymandi Concert Hall at Duke Energy Center 919.733.2750 | www.ncsymphony.org Oktoberfest – German Festival September 20 | 12-4pm Lafayette Village | Raleigh lafayettevillageraleigh.com Literacy Council of Wake County’s 4th Annual Read to Succeed BBQ Feed September 20 | 4-7pm Lake Wheeler Waterfront Conference Center | Raleigh | www.wakeliteracy.org Clay Aiken performing at National Inclusion Projects Magic of a Smile Champions Gala September 20 | 6:30pm Raleigh Marriott City Center | 500 Fayetteville Street | Raleigh | www.inclusionproject.org 3rd Annual Animal Blessing September 21 | 4:30pm (Rain date September 28 @ 4:30pm) Millbrook Baptist Church | 1519 E. Millbrook Road | Raleigh | 919.876.1519 Rosh Hashanah Services September 24-26 Beth Shalom Synagogue | 5713 Yates Mill Pond Road | Raleigh | www.bethshalomnc.org West Side Story September 26-27 | 8pm Meymandi Concert Hall at Duke Energy Center 919.733.2750 | www.ncsymphony.org Southern Ideal Home Show September 26-28 North Carolina State Fairgrounds 1025 Blue Ridge Road | Raleigh www.SouthernIdealHomeShow.com/HFR An American Werewolf in London & Cat People September 26 | 7pm The Carolina Theatre | Durham 919.560.3040 ext. 232 jim@carolinatheatre.org

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Triangle Independent School Consortium Admissions Fair September 28 | 1-4pm Hampton Inn | Crabtree Valley Mall www.tiscnc.org Rhonda Vincent and Gene Watson September 30 | 7:30pm Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts www.dukeenergycenterraleigh.com Maysa September 30 | 8pm The Carolina Theatre | Durham 919.560.3040, ext. 224 aaron@carolinatheatre.org

Donald J Pliner Trunk Show October 10 Main & Taylor | North Hills Shopping Center www.mainandtaylorshoes.com NC Symphony Sound Bites at Humble Pie October 13 | 6pm Humble Pie Restaurant | 317 S. Harrington Street | Raleigh | 919.733.2750 www.ncsymphony.org NC Symphony Friday Favorites at the Oscars® October 17 | 8pm Meymandi Concert Hall at Duke Energy Center 919.733.2750 | www.ncsymphony.org

lecture on “Was I Born for This?

North Carolina Slave Voices” October 2 | 7pm 160 South Saint Mary’s St. | Raleigh www.joellane.org

Stuart Weitzman Trunk Show October 23-26 Main & Taylor | North Hills Shopping Center www.mainandtaylorshoes.com

Yom Kippur Services October 3-4 Beth Shalom Synagogue | 5713 Yates Mill Pond Road | Raleigh | www.bethshalomnc.org

Halloween in the Village October 24 | 5-9pm Lafayette Village | Raleigh lafayettevillageraleigh.com

So Long Summer Beach Music Series September 3, 10, 17, 24 | 6-9pm Lafayette Village | Raleigh lafayettevillageraleigh.com

Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto October 24-25 | 8pm Meymandi Concert Hall at Duke Energy Center 919.733.2750 | www.ncsymphony.org

Movies on the Green October 3, 10, 17, 24 | 7pm Lafayette Village | Raleigh lafayettevillageraleigh.com Yevgeny Sudbin plays Rachmaninoff October 3-4 | 8pm Meymandi Concert Hall at Duke Energy Center 919.733.2750 | www.ncsymphony.org 9th annual HopeSpring Village Charity Golf Tournament October 4 The Preserve at Jordan Lake | Chapel Hill www.HopeSpringVillage.com Triangle Independent School Consortium Admissions Fair October 5 | 1-4pm Hilton Garden Inn | Southpoint Mall www.tiscnc.org 3rd Annual Oyster Roast Fundraiser October 10 | 7-11pm State Capitol | www.ncstatecapitol.org

Have an important event? We would love to hear about it. Please send the details of your calendar events to: jill@midtownmag.com. midtownmag.com | 113

FALL 20 14 FASHION

Photography Sean Junqueira

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Fashion Director and Photo Stylist Elie Rossetti-Serraino

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Dress – Lori + Lulu Rings (LH – black, RH – pink) Necklace (pearl) – Diamonds Direct Crabtree Necklace (gold, circle stones) – Reliable Jewelry Necklace (gold, long chunky) – Bailey's Fine Jewelry Rings (LH – turquoise, RH – silver) – Finks Jewelers Earrings, Necklace (stone/geo)– Ora Designers and Fine Jewelers Shoes – Main & Taylor

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Outfit – dress Necklace (short), Rings, Bracelets, Earrings – Reliable Jewelry Necklace (long) – Diamonds Direct Crabtree Shoes – Main & Taylor

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Dress – At Ease Bracelets, Earrings – Fink's Jewelers Shoes – Main & Taylor

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Dress, Jacket – C.T. Weekends Necklaces, Bracelets, Earrings – Bailey's Fine Jewelry Shoes – Main & Taylor

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featured on the cover Coat, Leggings – CoolSweats Ring, Bracelet, Earrings – Diamonds Direct Crabtree Boots – Main & Taylor

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Dress – Scout & Molly's Earrings, Necklaces – Ora Designers and Fine Jewelers Ring – Reliable Jewelry

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Sweater, Shirt, Pants – nßvonivo children's fashion boutique

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Special Thanks Photography Sean Junqueira > seanjunqueira.com

Fashion Director and Photo Stylist Elie Rossetti-Serraino > eliephotostylist.com Photography Assistant Shak Oteka Wardrobe Coordinator Jill West Davis Makeup Artist Shannon Tavor > feelsynergy.com Hair Styling Ashley Collins Brooke Newton > plumhairatelier.com Model and Agency Lucy Trull > LOCKE Management

Our Retailers

At Ease Boutique Bailey’s Fine Jewelry CoolSweats C.T. Weekends Diamonds Direct Crabtree dress Fink’s Jewelers Lori + Lulu Main & Taylor nüvonivo children's fashion boutique Ora Designers and Fine Jewelers Reliable Jewelry Scout & Molly’s

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My Halloween fails are numerous.

I’m not talking candy, here. At my house, we give out the good stuff. No Bit-O-Honey nightmares or lollipops so tiny they’re barely worth the effort.

When it comes to jack-o’-lanterns, we do an average job. It’s not anything Pinterest worthy, but we don’t embarrass ourselves either.

My failures have been of the costume variety. You’ve seen the woman in the pickedover costume aisle at Target the week before Halloween? Guilty. The lady putting together something from what’s in the house for a middle schooler who didn’t want to trick or treat then suddenly wanted to? Yep. Yours truly.

The reason I’m so bad at putting together costumes for myself or for my kiddos is that I was spoiled. For the first 20 years of my life my Nana made my costumes by hand, and then she made them for my kids. Nana was tops with a sewing machine.

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We’d make requests in late summer, and the box of original costume perfection would arrive on our doorstep the first week in October. It was like loving clockwork.

From pumpkin costumes for babies to princess get-ups for girls to an adult Alice in Wonderland for her granddaughter to sport on Franklin Street, she did it all. With Nana’s costumes, we were the contest winners.

Without her, we were the losers of Halloween.

A couple years after Nana died I decided it was time to get my Halloween act together.

For once, I planned ahead. And while I didn’t use a sewing machine, we managed to pull off what my kids considered Wicked costumes. Because we love Broadway tunes (seriously, you may want to skip carpool with us), my girls and I decided they would be Elphaba and Glinda (or Galinda depending on whom you ask) from the musical Wicked. Two sisters dressing up as two witches who were

friends and enemies? Not a far stretch.

It was a team effort. We tried to imitate the Playbill cover, except I messed up and didn’t have the girls stand on the right sides.

No matter. It was close enough and we had fun painting faces, putting stickers on a foam craft store tiara and learning the words to all the Wicked tracks. The girls’ aunt brought over a broomstick and some theater knowhow. What was that feeling? Not loathing.

For us, it was the best Halloween ever.

(Well, the best one we’ve had since the days of Nana’s costumes.)

During the summer Midtown made a request for our readers’ best costumes ever.

Thank you for the responses, descriptions and photographs. We gathered up a few of those submissions and added them to some Halloween winners we already knew about.

Here’s to inspiration, creativity and – most of all – the all-important act of planning.

In true Rosie fashion, Froelich put the extra work in and duplicated the background of the famous poster to strap to herself using elastic. “It got rave reviews,” she says.

The Old Woman Prudence Scott started her costume hunt by taking a good look at her (then) 10-month-old daughter, Harper, who had just abandoned crawling for standing and cruising around using furniture for balance. “As she inched around our living room, it dawned on me that she looked like an old woman shuffling along,” Scott says.

Scott made a walker from PVC pipe and covered it with shiny duct tape. To weigh it down, she placed pennies in the two front pipes. She added tennis balls as a finishing touch. For the outfit: a dress with lace collar and exposed slip, and a wig and glasses from Amazon.

“There were a few learning curves with the walker … I learned from a few mistakes along the way,” she adds about the costume, which Harper wore to her playgroup’s Halloween party last year.

So, what’s the plan for 2014? Scott has a few costume ideas, but she’s not sharing just yet!

Disco Devil Sure, Brandon Donahue partook in Halloween. He’d wear a costume, earn a laugh or two and then fade into the crowd.

But that was before Disco Devil.

“I wanted a new face without having to wear a mask,” he says. “I found that bringing Hollywood to Halloween was something that almost anyone could do.”

So the IT system analyst created a “face” from different latex appliances he had pieced together. Because they adhered to his skin, they moved with his facial expressions. He added makeup and a disco outfit to complete the look.

“The total process takes up to two hours, so there is a level of dedication for this type of costume. It’s definitely not a quick change,” says Donahue, who attended a Halloween party. “I was not immediately recognized by any of my friends … strangers asked to have their pictures taken with me. It was a fun and rewarding experience.”

Rosie the Riveter Cultural icons make for fabulous Halloween personas. Just ask Erin Froelich, who called on a denim shirt, red-with-white-polka-dots hair sash and red lipstick to help her become Rosie the Riveter, who starred in the US government’s WWII campaign to recruit women to work in factories.

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Jennifer Miller was only looking for something to wear to a costume birthday party. But things worked out so well that she’s repeating her stint as the jellyfish for Halloween. “It turned out more amazing than I expected,” she says about the homemade costume. “It’s made with foam core board, bubble wrap, lots of fabric, and it even has lights.”

dressed up as American painter and The Joy of Painting television host Bob Ross.

“I took the pruning from a tree in our yard and made myself a tree,” she says. “This will probably be the only time you see my husband in a pair of jeans. He did not own a pair until we bought some for this costume.”

Oompa Loompa Sushi Roll Here’s a costume that proves packing peanuts have more uses than one could ever imagine. Lauren Hall, a graduate of North Carolina State University, sports her “Wolfpack Roll” sushi roll costume, which is a nod to Raleigh’s sushi restaurants with menu items of the same name. She used cardboard for the shell and felt for the ingredients. Hall accessorized with chopsticks in her hair, and she wore the costume to a friend’s party.

The only thing sweeter than a chocolate factory is an adorable kiddo sporting an oompa loompa costume, complete with orange face paint and white gloves. We’re pretty sure Willy Wonka himself would love this Etsy find by Jamie Bowden for her son Jack. “It was custom made and not cheap, but with the first child we tend to overdo it,” she says.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Bob Ross and his Happy Tree When your hubby grows what you refer to as a “magnificent beard,” you build a couples Halloween costume around it. Right? That was how it went for Jodie Hatcher, who opted to be a tree to accompany her husband David, who 128 | midtownmag.com

Leave it to a teacher trio to use a favorite childhood game as costume inspiration. (Left to right) Cathedral School’s Kim Ross, Christine O’Donnell and Diana Hurtado used thick poster board, spray paint, string, gray fabric, stuffing and cardboard for the group costume. Strategic design was the key to making it work.

“Everything was fun about this costume … particularly the response we received from our students,” Hurtado says.

“They absolutely loved it, and so did we.”

In Praise OF

PUMPKIN

BY KURT Dusterberg

For several years now, I’ve been trying to figure out how I developed such a pumpkin problem.

As a kid, my mother made pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, and I disliked it so much that I would eat mincemeat pie instead. But sometime well into adulthood, everything changed. If it’s pumpkin flavored, I’m all over it.

I’ve always had a sweet tooth, but that doesn’t explain the pumpkin cravings. The taste snuck up on me sometime back around my Key Lime Pie Era (circa 1998), and it is still going strong today. I seek out anything that tastes like pumpkin.

In my defense, it seems like the pumpkin lobby has made a big push in recent years. In the grocery

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aisles in the fall, pumpkin items are everywhere – cake mixes, chewy bars, toaster pastries. I’ll try most anything. There are even some problematic options, like pumpkin pie vodka, but so far I’ve confined this issue to the dessert sector. I’m not looking for more trouble.

My standards for pumpkin-infused foods are fairly lenient. I seem to like most of what’s out there, but I have a few go-to items this time of year. The pumpkin muffin at Panera Bread is top-notch. So are the pumpkin pancakes at Brigs restaurants, available in November. At the same time, I don’t exactly challenge my palate with pumpkin Pop-Tarts. They’re pumpkin-ish, but that moves the meter for me.

I don’t want to come across as entirely undiscriminating. I’ve walked away from a bag of pumpkin M&Ms. Pumpkin Hershey’s Kisses made me want to write a strongly worded letter. Think melted candle wax.

This little addiction goes beyond satisfying my taste for that delicate blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice. Sometimes all I need is the aroma, which is why I always have a pumpkin piescented Yankee Candle in the house. Please don’t confuse it with the company’s spiced pumpkin candle. Trust me, you want the pie scent. My wife once made the mistake of buying the spiced pumpkin one for me. I let her off with a warning.

It’s hard to be sure when common sense finally gave way to compulsion. I think it was three years ago when I purchased a quart of CoffeeMate pumpkin spice coffee creamer. It didn’t seem like an issue at the time, but then the euphoria wore off and I remembered that I don’t drink coffee. Without a practical use for it, I would take it out of the refrigerator a couple times a day, open the lid and sort of waft the bouquet up to my nose. I’ve since learned that it’s delicious in hot chocolate, which gives me an excuse to buy it each year. I still take whiffs as needed.

I keep waiting for this little fixation to fade away, but I see no end in sight. Not as long as Trader Joe’s keeps stocking pumpkin muffin mix. I have three boxes still in the pantry from last year – just in case.

I have made a few treats from scratch, but the only one my family enjoys is pumpkin bars, with cream cheese frosting. I make them every year, just to have someone participate with me. Sadly, my wife and kids are indifferent to most things pumpkin. So whenever I find the next musthave item, I pretty much own it. The pumpkin cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory? Mine, all eight pieces. I think I ate three before I ran out of enthusiasm.

Maybe that’s a good sign, that I still have some sense of self-control. After all, this is pretty much only an October-November ordeal for me. But for these two months, I’m powerless over pumpkin. This fall, there will be new items on the store shelves, and I will make some decisions I won’t be proud of.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I heard a rumor about pumpkin Cheerios. I bet that would be delicious with the coffee creamer.

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photograph © John Lynner Peterson

Discover the World in Raleigh with Great Food, Great Music and Great Fun North Carolina is the 15th most culturally diverse state in America. In celebration of this, the 29th annual International Festival will take place September 19th-21st at the Raleigh Convention Center. This must-see event has something for everyone and promises to be a fun learning experience for the whole family.

“The foreign-born population in the area continues to grow,” says Melissa Beard, executive director of International Focus, the non-profit organization responsible for the International Festival. “More than 50 percent of the foreignborn population in Wake County has moved to the area since the year 2000.”

With “Natural Wonders” being this year’s theme, representatives from more than 60 diverse cultures will exhibit their countries of origin. Children will also be able to enjoy face painting, storytelling, craft making and games in Sophia’s Courtyard.

Twenty sidewalk cafes will offer food from around the world, and area chefs will provide cooking demonstrations.

New this year are the tea and coffee houses. This is the place many of the traditional ethnic musicians will perform.

Rounding out the activities are a dance stage with costumed performers and an international bazaar filled with unique gift items and decorative crafts.

“We are very excited about the changes being made and new activities being offered this year,” says Beard. “Some highlights include performances by Elikeh, an acclaimed Afropop band from DC, La Sonora Dinamita, a popular Colombian musical group, and the Chuck Davis AfricanAmerican Dance Ensemble.”

Tickets are $8 for adults with discounts for seniors, children and groups of 10 or more. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit www.internationalfocusnc.org. Keep up-to-date on performances and activities by liking the festival on Facebook @RaleighInternationalFestival and following on Twitter @intlfestraleigh.

The festival also provides opportunities for the underprivileged youth in the community to experience other world cultures by “Discovering the World in Raleigh.” To sponsor an underprivileged child with a ticket, meal voucher and a day of supervised fun and cultural enrichment for only $10, visit gofundme.com/bvzmjk. midtownmag.com | 131

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A f t er a f o o t b a l l i n j u r y l e f t h i m p ara l y z ed , J o J o P o l k f a c ed a n u n c er t a i n f u t u re . B u t t o da y , h e ’ s m o re a c t i v e t h a n e v er . by kurt dusterberg

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Jojo Polk is one of those

fitness instructors who has enough enthusiasm for everyone in the room.

At Raleigh’s Heat Studios, the folks in his class connect with his energy.

“When your clients are reaching their goals, it kind of helps you build your own life too,” Polk says. “It’s a gratifying thing. It’s the closest thing I will ever get back to sports.”

Polk’s sport was football. He had always dreamed of playing professionally. His ultimate goal was the NFL, but he played college ball away from the spotlight, first at a junior college in Kansas, then at Northeastern State in Oklahoma.

from the waist down. After two weeks at Trident Medical Center in Charleston, he remained unable to move.

“It didn’t look promising,” Polk recalls. “I figured this was going to be my life. That’s when the doctor told me I would never walk again. That was a rough day.”

What happened next, Polk calls a miracle. For days, he experienced “spasms” in his lower body, impulses that left him believing he had feeling in his lower extremities. After several days of false alarms, Polk finally responded when the doctor poked his foot.

Former Arena League football player Jojo Polk puts in a workout.

So the professional football journey began at the bottom of the ladder in 2000 with the Tulsa Talons – a minor league team in the indoor version of the game. There, Polk established himself as a defensive back on a playoff team.

But in the seventh game of the season, everything changed. On a third down play, Polk was covering a receiver from the Charleston (SC) Swamp Foxes. He batted down the ball but ended up tripping over the receiver’s foot.

“That’s what ended up making me go straight down, and I went head first into the wall,” Polk says.

The injury broke the C6 vertebra in his neck, leaving him paralyzed

“From that day on, I can’t explain the rest of it,” he says. “It was a gift from God.”

Not only did Polk regain full movement, but he also made a remarkable football comeback.

Just 10 months later, he was back playing in the top tier of the Arena League, where he won the ArenaBowl championship with the Grand Rapids Rampage in 2001.

Polk never found his way onto an NFL roster, but he played in the Arena League and other indoor leagues through 2011. When he decided to retire, he settled in Raleigh with his wife and two children and tried to figure out the next chapter of his life. Throughout his career, he midtownmag.com | 133

had always been a self-starter when it came to staying in shape in the off-season. That provided a good starting point.

“In the summertime for football, you’re responsible for your own fitness,” he says. “I was always one of those people who was self-motivated.

A lot of my teammates would work out with me. I wound up being a self-proclaimed personal trainer before I got certified.”

For his group classes at Heat Studios, Polk puts as much heart into his work as he did his football career – and his rehab from paralysis.

“I used to tell myself to dig a little deeper inside myself,” he says. “So I made ‘DIG’ my saying. It means determination, intensity and guts. Those are three elements you need in life and sports. That’s what I said to myself whenever I wanted to give up. Now I find myself saying it in class all the time.”

For now, Polk has a full slate of training work.

Between his group instruction and personal training, there’s not much time for other pursuits. He pitches in as a volunteer assistant track coach at Raleigh Charter High School, and he has the bug to coach high school football.

“I want to do so many things in life, but I think they come in stages,” he says. “I take them as they come.”

Polk recognizes that his story of perseverance is one that resonates with others. He is not sure how to explain the recovery from his spinal injury, but he knows there is a message of hope in it. It is something he can share with others. So he speaks at schools, camps and churches – anywhere there are people he can reach.

“Even when it’s five or ten kids, getting your story out there is one thing, but getting them to take a piece of that story with them is the thing you’re trying to do.”

Polk’s message also includes a dose of overcoming what he calls a “rough upbringing”. It didn’t help that he had a bad temper, getting thrown out of a summer basketball league. But when he was 14, he simply decided he didn’t want to live that way, so he took it upon himself to change. Those words connected with a child at a recent speaking engagement.

“One kid raised his hand and said, ‘I want to be like you,’ “ Polk says. “I’ve never in my life heard that.

He said he gives up on stuff and he doesn’t want to be a quitter anymore. He wants to fight through things. He was listening. For a 10-year old to say he doesn’t want to be a quitter anymore, right there is the turning point.”

Polk’s NFL dream didn’t pan out, but the years of Arena Football took him where he never imagined.

After an injury that nearly altered the path of his life, he sees so much good in where he is now.

“I still get to be active, and I’m still around people who are active,” Polk says enthusiastically. “My group classes are the closest thing I will have to a team. I feed off of that atmosphere.”

Editor’s note: JoJo Polk has recently become co-owner of CORE Fitness Studio on Capital Blvd.

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get moving for the Boys & Girls

Sure, the September 28th Get Moving Midtown community event will certainly get you going. You’d be crazy not to come out to celebrate your love for fitness, healthy living and fresh local food. But Get Moving Midtown will also get things going for the over 4000 kids served by the Wake County Boys and Girls Clubs. And that’s an even bigger reason to celebrate. by illyse lane midtownmag.com | 135

If there’s one thing Pepe Caudillo has learned to count on since the very first day the doors to the Brentwood Boys & Girls Club opened in 2006, it’s the fact that every day after school, Juanita Leon will walk through the door.

It may not seem that unusual.

After all, as part of the Wake County Boys & Girls Clubs, the Brentwood Club is set up with the mission to inspire and enable all children to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

With activities that encourage academic success, a healthy lifestyle and good citizenship, kids should want to end up at the club after school.

However, when you first consider that children cannot be forced to go to any of the seven Boys & Girls Clubs that are located in Wake County after school, and instead, have to choose to come to the club on their own, and then consider that many of the members come from a more challenging set of circumstances, well, there can be inconsistencies in attendance.

But for those kids who make visiting the club a part of their daily routine, the rewards can be tremendous.

A Foundation for the Future “We are fortunate enough to have a great staff of young professionals who take seriously their roles of supporting and providing guidance to these young people,” says Ralph Capps, President and CEO of the Wake County Boys & Girls 136 | midtownmag.com

Juanita Leon, the winner of the Youth of the Year Award for the Brentwood Boys & Girls Club

Clubs, which currently has over 4000 members, 500 of which belong to the Brentwood Club. “We have kids that have had to overcome a lot of obstacles, but yet they have been able to keep a positive attitude and create goals for themselves.”

And Leon is one of those kids. She discovered that even at the young age of nine, she meshed well with the opportunities available to her at the Brentwood Boys & Girls Club. “My parents worked almost 24 hours a day, and they wanted me to be in a safe environment. My dad would tell me that they work so hard so I could go to school and have a better future,” says Leon, who graduated from high school in June. “That was my motivation. I had to do whatever I had to do and be a good example to my sister, who was younger.”

Leon began channeling that motivation, showing up at the club each day after school and asking what she could do to help. “I am pretty sure I drove Pepe crazy,” says Leon. “That’s always been my nature, I want to do as much as I can do. So I would always want to help, and I would bug him every day. He probably got tired of me.”

Club director Caudillo begs to differ. “Juanita was always very responsible and very committed, and she wanted to help with whatever we could think of,” says Caudillo. “When she was little, we would give her little tasks to do, such as helping to organize the library or set up an activity.” And as Leon grew, Caudillo and his staff noticed how Leon took the lead in befriending the young children coming through the center. midtownmag.com | 137

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Promoting a healthy lifestyle is one of the core areas the Wake County Boys & Girls Clubs focus on, and outdoor fun is a big part of the Boys & Girls club experience.

North Hills 5K

September 6, 2014 Benefitting North Raleigh Ministries www.NorthRaleighMinistries.com

Setting an Example “When I was little, I would enjoy the volunteers and the communication with them. I would get attached to them,” says Leon. “I knew that when I grew up, I wanted to have that with the younger kids.” So Leon, who has always liked to stay busy, did what came naturally.

She stayed focused, juggling school, homework and helping to take care of her sister, then later adding the responsibility of having a part-time job, all while continuing to come to the club. And even over the past year, when the primary responsibility of caring for her family fell solely upon her shoulders, she continued to show up, striving to set a positive example for the younger children.

Leon’s efforts did not go unnoticed, and this year, she was awarded the Youth of the Year Award for the Brentwood Club. “The Youth of the Year Award is the premier tool for being able to recognize long-time club members who have gone from being a club member to more of a junior staff. It is given to a person who gives back to the club that they have benefited from as a younger child,” says Amber Moore, the director of corporate and community partnerships. The winner is chosen through a competition within each of the seven clubs, as members are paired with a mentor to work on skills such as public speaking, writing, leadership and service – skills that will help them apply to college and for scholarships, providing a gateway to a better future.

Reaching Out to Help More As the demand for the club’s services grow, the 46-year-old club is upgrading its facilities, including opening a Zebulon location and new teen center, with the goal of serving 6000 kids. Enter the Midtown Raleigh Alliance, with an offer to help the club raise both awareness and funds through its Get Moving Midtown community event, scheduled for September 28th in the new Midtown Park at North Hills.

With a focus on fitness, health and wellness, including a 100-Minutes Fitness Challenge, Get Moving Midtown is the perfect event to benefit the Boys & Girls Club, which incorporates health and fitness into its core programs. “The Brentwood Boys & Girls Club is located right here in our own backyard,” explains Tara Robbins, executive director of the Midtown Raleigh Alliance. “And the changes the

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Get Moving Midtown!

With programs focusing on academic success, health and good character, we know that the Wake Country Boys & Girls Clubs help develop healthy children, both inside and out. So it only makes sense that the Midtown Raleigh Alliance would choose the Boys & Girls Clubs to benefit from its Get Moving Midtown community event, an afternoon dedicated to health and well-being.

“Is there anything more important for us to focus on, both as individuals and a community, than health?” asks Tara Robbins, executive director of the Midtown Raleigh Alliance.

Recognizing that a healthy community is more likely to be a thriving community, the Midtown Raleigh Alliance is ready to help you embrace healthy habits.

With Duke Raleigh Hospital providing health screenings and breakout sessions on healthy food selection and preparation, as well as local health and wellness vendors on hand, you’ll have everything you need in one place to ensure you are doing everything you can to take care of yourself. And, if you are feeling up to it, give yourself the ultimate fitness test by participating in what is sure to be one of the most uplifting fitness events in Raleigh – the Get Moving Midtown 100-Minute Fitness Challenge.

“This will feature five 20-minute workouts taught by five local fitness studio instructors,” says Robbins. “Those who successfully complete all 100 minutes will be given the event t-shirt and be entered in the grand prize drawing.” And since a healthy lifestyle is important to people of all ages, Get Moving Midtown will also have two fitness programs and an inflatable obstacle course specifically designed for kids.

So circle the date to come out, support the Wake Country Boys & Girls Clubs, and get moving! Here’s what you need to know when you go:

Get Moving Midtown

Featuring Midtown’s 100-Minute Fitness Challenge When: Sunday, September 28th Where: Midtown Park at North Hills Time: 1-5pm, the 100-Minute Fitness Challenge

begins at 2pm For information on the event, visit www.getmovingmidtown.com.

For information on the Midtown Raleigh Alliance, visit www.midtownraleighalliance.org.

Wake County Boys & Girls Clubs are making in the lives of young people are simply astounding.”

Leon can attest to this first-hand. With clear goals for the future, she plans to begin her college experience at Wake Tech while she continues to care for her sister, and then transfer to UNC and study medicine. “My sister has a heart condition, and she is my motivation,” says Leon, whose dream job would be traveling to other countries to help people who don’t have medical resources.

She credits the club with helping her get one step closer to achieving that dream. “The kids at the club, they kept me going,” says Leon. “The club has been like a second home. It’s a place you can go to forget about your problems. I could be a kid rather than a little mom. And now I get to tell the kids, ‘I have been in your shoes!’”

And this, says Capps, is the whole point of the Boys & Girls Clubs. midtownmag.com | 139

Out And

About

September 11th-14th SPARKcon SPARKcon is on in downtown Raleigh, and you won’t find a more stimulating celebration of artists and their art. Whether through dance, theatre, music, design, poetry, comedy, art, gaming, circus or robotics, creators and curators of expression naturally find their groove when they come together to network, connect with their community and showcase their talent in ever-inventive ways. SPARKcon is produced by the Visual Art Exchange and is celebrating its 9th year. >> www.sparkcon.com

photography © Dan Hacker Photography

Raleigh Activities and Events

By Jenni Hart

September 20th BugFest BugFest takes place at the Museum of Natural Sciences. This perennial favorite is known for delighting, fascinating and occasionally grossing out its 35,000 or so attendees each year, some of whom bravely nibble on the main attraction. With exhibits, crafts, games and activities scheduled from 9am-7pm, BugFest is creepy, crawly, squishy, crunchy, and, as always – free! >> www.bugfest.org

September 28th photography © wral.com

Get Moving Midtown

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Midtown Raleigh Alliance “Get Moving Midtown” 100-Minute Fitness Challenge will take place at Midtown Park from 1-5pm. The afternoon will focus on health and wellness, with important health screenings, healthy meal preparation demonstrations, a children’s obstacle course, and a healthy living trade fair. Participants able to complete the 100-minute fitness challenge receive an event T-shirt and will be entered in a grand prize drawing. Funds raised will benefit the Wake County Boys & Girls Clubs. >> www.GetMovingMidtown.com

September 19th-21st 29th Annual International Festival The 29th Annual International Festival is a celebration of the diversity of Triangle communities and an opportunity to showcase the culture, arts and cuisines from around the world. The festival, which takes place at the Raleigh Convention Center, will offer more than 20 street cafes, an oldworld bazaar, children’s activities and live music throughout the weekend.

In addition, there will be an International Dance Competition on Saturday night, with entries in merengue, hip-hop, African, salsa, flamenco, samba, Bollywood, belly dance and more. >> www.internationalfocusnc.org

September 21st

September 28th

La Fiesta del Pueblo

Wide Open Bluegrass Festival Wide Open Bluegrass festival will take place at various locations throughout the city. The International Bluegrass Music Association will make Raleigh the home of its annual World of Bluegrass conference for the second time, with last year’s attendance nearing 150,000 and generating $10 million. More than 100 musical performances will take place on six stages, with workshops, jam sessions and arts and food vendors peppering the festivities. >> www.pinecone.org – go to the festivals section under music and events

photography © Dave Brainard

La Fiesta del Pueblo is a celebration of Latin American art and culture and serves to inform and connect the Latino community to issues that impact their families. Attendees will be entertained by popular and traditional music and dance as well as art exhibits. In addition, artists and craftsmen will offer handmade jewelry, traditional clothing and other items for sale. The family-friendly festival includes plenty of games and activities for children, as well as food from different regions of Latin America. More than 17,000 attended La Fiesta del Pueblo in 2013, the 20th anniversary of the event. >> www.elpueblo.org

October 4th

October 16th-26th

Raleigh Irish Music Festival

NC State Fair

Irish musicians, bands and traditional Irish dancers will perform, and Irish and Celtic items will be on display and available for purchase. The family-friendly festival will feature entertainment for children, and food and beverage vendors will be on hand. The event takes place from 11am-7:30pm and is free and open to the public. >> www.raleighirishfestival.com.

This year’s state fair will include all the traditional attractions and activities, rides, and irresistible foods. Additional exhibits include the World War I centennial attraction in Dorton Arena, the North Carolina Horse Council’s Year of the Horse celebration, and performances

by Trace Adkins, Vanilla Ice, Brandy Clark, and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, among others. >> www.ncstatefair.org

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midtowndowntown

To To Market,

Market

100 years and counting B y K a t e Tu r g e o n W a t s o n

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K

ara Guido is planning a birthday party. Technically, it’s a centennial celebration. But, you get the idea.

There are logistics to figure out, sure. But the bulk of her work is more like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle of 36,500 days, give or take a few.

That’s how it goes when one is the marketing and events coordinator for Raleigh’s City Market, which turns 100 in September. In pursuit of history, Guido has visited the State Archives of North Carolina, the News & Observer’s archives and the office of Dr. David Zonderman, associate department head of History at North Carolina State University. She’s read decades-old rosters of farmers’ names and towns.

“ T h e c h a r m i s d e f i n i t e ly t h e c o b b l e stone street and that center building, Market Hall.

I t r e a l ly h a s n ’ t c h a n g e d v e r y m u c h.

Those awnings go out 10 feet a n d t h e a r c h i t e c t o b v i o u s ly d r e w a fanta stic building … and the ceramic white brick on the walls is original.” ~Kara Guido, City Market’s Marketing and Events Coordinator

“I grew up in Raleigh and always knew that City Market had a really rich history, but it has been challenging trying to figure out the history,” Guido says.

She’s been figuring things out at places such as the Olivia Raney Local History Library. And she’s sat across the table from “Big Ed” Watkins, whose restaurant calls City Market Home, Smedes York, a former Raleigh mayor and chairman of the board of York Properties (which managed City Market at one point in its history), and Charles Coats, of Charles Coats Produce, who shared stories of playing on the cobblestone streets of City Market when he was a child.

“I did learn that while the rest of the city was segregated, Market Hall was integrated. They had black and white farmers and buyers,” Guido says. “And people came from all over … in the early 1950s more than two-thirds of North Carolina’s families visited City Market at least once a year.”

Sorting through the past is a worthy task considering the age of City Market and its place in Raleigh’s history. Guido works for Michael Hakan, a Chapel Hill native who resides in California.

He purchased City Market with his father, Joe, in the 1990s. A structural engineer who designed the Dean E. Smith Center in

Centennial Celebration

> Friday, October 3rd, 2014 Bluegrass band, Paperhand Puppet parade, street performers For more information visit www.citymarketraleigh.com midtownmag.com | 143

Chapel Hill, Joe died in 2006. But he left a lasting impression with his affinity for getting to know tenants and customers.

“He used to have a mechanical horse that he would have on the sidewalk,” Guido says about the elder Hakan. “And he would sit up on the building’s rooftop and speak into a microphone and the horse would talk to people who were walking by. There was a talking horse … he was into animatronics!”

While there’s just a tiny bit of chatter about what another talking horse could mean for the area, the real talk is about what City Market has in store.

“A lot of people want to know ‘what’s City Market going to do next?’” notes Guido, who often hears the question because nearby Moore Square is going through a redevelopment.

For starters, City Market is back to its roots with a farmer’s market on Wednesday evenings. It’s also preparing to welcome some new businesses, Guido says.

Through the years, what’s defined City Market?

1914 City Market opens as a market in downtown Raleigh. Vendors, often farmers from eastern North Carolina, sell produce, seafood, flowers and poultry.

1939 Twenty-five years into its existence, City Market continues to flourish. In addition to produce, baked goods are another favorite at the market.

1964 By the time City Market reaches its 50th birthday, it’s no longer a market for food, but a furniture store instead. The main reason for the change is advent the of supermarkets in the late 1950s.

1989 By year #75 City Market is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. In the years just before this milestone birthday, the city began to rehabilitate the Market and nearby buildings.

2014 A weekly farmer’s market, boutiques, restaurants and professional services make it a thriving area once again.

“We are trying to step it up,” Kara Guido, events and marketing coordinator, says, noting that the city is redeveloping nearby Moore Square and that more people are expected to live downtown.

“We have Sky House opening next to us. Then we have The Edison [Apartments] and The Lincoln [Apartments], just east of Moore Square.”

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midtowndowntown

, d a e l e h t g n Taki

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Ra le ig h g ro up ho ld s 3r d ann ual Okt obe rfe st Run ...

By Kate Turgeon Watson midtownmag.com| 145

Y

ou’ve got to love it when a group calls its race “fairly epic.” That’s the playful attitude at Raleigh’s nOg Run Club, which is known for its St. Paddy’s Run Green 8K race and Monday evening group runs that meet at Tir na nOg Irish pub downtown on South Blount Street.

Two years ago the group added to its line-up with an Oktoberfest race. After all, what’s better than fellas in lederhosen and ladies in hair braids and dirndls who are putting feet to pavement for a good cause?

And doing it all in the capital city?

“After the success of the St. Paddy’s Run, we decided to add a fall race to raise money to donate to local charities,” Elizabeth Pagano, president of the nOg Run Club, says.

Pagano says the 8K, or 5-mile, race takes place on a course that’s both “fast and flat.” Runners (and walkers … they’re allowed, too!) will see downtown Raleigh and the city’s Historic Oakwood neighborhood along the route.

Organizers present glass beer boot

awards to the fastest person in lederhosen and the fastest person wearing dirndl. And if you are the fastest in a German costume

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or group costume, well, there’s a glass beer boot and plenty of bragging rights in it for you as well. Other prizes include gift certificates to overall and age-group winners.

But beyond the podium, a big draw for the event is an after party. Think music, games and competitions in beerstein holding, brat-eating and limbo. The grand prize, Pagano says, is a $3,000 travel voucher that will be raffled away to one winner from a drawing. (Each registrant will receive at least one raffle ticket, she adds.)

“Because I am the race director, I don’t get to run the race, [but] I enjoy watching people have a lot of fun at our event and raise so much money for local charities,” Pagano says.

Runners, such as Raleigh’s Anjanette Wiley, will be the ones having a lot of that Oktoberfest, German-themed fun.

While she says she probably will not dress up, Wiley enjoys seeing those who do and being part of the party. “I do it every year … it’s fun,” she says. “And it’s in the late afternoon so it runs right into happy hour … we can stay downtown and have dinner, too.”

Oktoberfest Run Green 8k When October 18th at 3pm Where Moore Square, Downtown Raleigh Registration Before October 15th Individual: $35 After October 15th Individual: $40 More information www.nogrunclub.com/ oktoberfest

Running:

just because, and for a cause “We list on our website how we donate,� explains Elizabeth Pagano, president of the nOg Run Club. The 2014 Oktoberfest Race will benefit Wake Enterprises, a private nonprofit that assists people with disabilities to achieve their maximum level of independence. Wake Enterprises serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as local businesses and the community.

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prevention is the best medicine

A Duke Raleigh Hospital oncologist talks about what we can do to minimize our risk of getting cancer

By Page Leggett

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Maggie Deutsch, MD, an oncologist with more than 20 years’ experience, says cancer treatment today is completely different from when she first started practicing medicine.

“For instance, patients used to get chemical chemotherapy, which was likely to make them ill,” Dr. Deutsch, who joined Duke Cancer Institute at Duke Raleigh Hospital in August, says.

So in addition to fighting cancer, they found themselves dealing with nausea, vomiting, fever and low blood counts. Just the side effects of chemotherapy could land patients in the hospital.

But there have been huge advancements in chemotherapy in the past two decades. While some patients still get chemical chemotherapy, there are now biological agents used in cancer care.

“These proteins hit their specific target without impacting other areas of the body,” says the doctor. “They work well and are much less toxic to the patient.”

She mentions that oral chemotherapy agents used in the treatment of some kidney and breast cancers are much more tolerable for patients than chemical chemotherapy of years past.

Dr. Deutsch cites Herceptin (used to treat some aggressive breast cancers in both early and metastatic stages) as one of the drugs that has made chemotherapy a little less dreadful.

She says the drug Gleevec has turned one form of myeloid leukemia – which was nearly always fatal up until 15 years ago – into a chronic disease.

“Just as we’ve seen HIV go from being a disease that gave patients only a finite time to live, some cancers have become chronic diseases that require management,” says Dr. Deutsch.

Cancer is still a diagnosis no one wants. “There are patients who present with metastatic cancer,” says Dr. Deutsch. And the prognosis may not be good. “But today, patients are living longer and better lives even when their cancer cannot be cured.”

Live healthfully. Get screened.

Prevention, Dr. Deutsch says, is always preferable to treatment.

“People today understand the role they play in their own health,” the doctor says. The things that help guard against a range of ills (things like exercising, eating healthfully, not smoking, drinking in moderation – for those who choose to drink) also help guard against cancer.

“And if you get cancer,” says Dr. Deutsch, “you’ll fare much better if you’re already healthy when you begin treatment.

Lifestyle does make a difference.”

She recommends the appropriate screening tests, too – mammograms, colonoscopies, Pap smears.

Heredity plays a part in who gets cancer, too, but there’s so much more doctors know about its role today. For instance, there’s the BRCA gene, which Dr. Deutsch refers to as “the Angelina Jolie issue.”

A woman has a greater risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer if she inherits a mutation in the BRCA1 gene or the BRCA2 gene. Jolie’s mother died of cancer after battling it for 10 years, and Jolie discovered she carried the mutation.

In a May 14, 2013 op-ed in The New York Times, in which Jolie announced her decision to have a preventive double mastectomy, she wrote, “My doctors estimated that I had an midtownmag.com | 149

87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman.”

“Only a fraction of breast cancers result from an inherited gene mutation. Those with a defect in BRCA1 have a 65 percent risk of getting it, on average.”

“Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could.”

While Dr. Deutsch leaves such a monumental decision to her patients, she believes Jolie took “appropriate steps” in her case. She says Jolie’s decision – and her willingness to go public with it – has led to increased awareness of the dangers and to more conversations between doctors and patients.

“Here’s this beautiful celebrity who had both her breasts removed,” says Dr. Deutsch. “She made women see that this is a very reasonable thing to do.”

Men are not immune to breast cancer. Men with these mutations also have an increased risk of breast cancer, and both men and women who have harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations may be at increased risk of other types of cancer.

Your genes tell a story Genetic tests can check for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in people with a family history of cancer. Dr. Deutsch says more and more patients are coming to her and her colleagues for just such a genetic work-up. If a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation is found, the patient has some decisions to make.

“It’s easy if you test negative,” says Dr. Deutsch. “If you

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Maggie Deutsch, md of the duke cancer institute at duke raleigh hospital

test positive, though, you then have to decide what you’re going to do with that information. There are lots of questions women will need to face: What do I need to do about having children? Do I have them sooner than I was planning to? Do I have my ovaries taken out? At what point?”

Those are enormous issues to grapple with. Dr. Deutsch doesn’t feel a young person is prepared to deal with such questions, so she doesn’t recommend genetic testing for teens.

“That’s my opinion,” she says. “Other physicians may feel it’s best to know and intervene quickly.”

But she says since most breast and ovarian cancers don’t show up until adulthood, waiting until a patient is 21 or older to test is reasonable.

Dr. Deutsch, who trained at Duke and has recently returned to Duke Raleigh Hospital after years in private

practice in Raleigh, believes that genetic counseling is one of the most important services Duke Raleigh offers.

Cancer-related genetic counseling is appropriate for anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer at an early age, people who have had multiple cancers and those with a number of relatives with cancer.

Helping patients navigate Clinical trials are another important benefit Duke Raleigh offers. “In a clinical trial, everybody wins,” she says. “The medical establishment gains important information. Patients are allowed access to drugs that may be better and more effective than the current standard of care. And there will be a protocol nurse to offer intense care and follow-up.”

One of the main goals of the Duke Cancer Institute at Duke Raleigh is to roll out more clinical trials in Wake County.

She says Duke Oncology is set up to offer specialty-driven clinical trials. Duke Raleigh has a few going now – one in prostate cancer and two in lung cancer – but the number of clinical trials is expected to increase over the next year.

Dr. Deutsch says the patient navigator is another reason Duke Raleigh offers superior oncological care. “The navigators offer emotional support and help patients and their families take it one step at a time,” she says. From preliminary diagnosis to post-regimen check-ups, the patient navigator is a full partner throughout treatment. Each navigator works to make the arrangements for diagnostic studies, treatments and follow-up services.

Chad Seastrunk, MS, MHA, administrative director of operations at the Duke Cancer Institute at Duke Raleigh, says, “The patient navigator does so much more than the name suggests. Besides helping to coordinate a patient’s care throughout treatment, they also lead a lot of our support groups and provide emotional support for our patients.”

There’s a monthly support group for patients living with any type of cancer. Patients may bring a family member with them if they choose. Seastrunk says the center “is completely focused on not just taking care of the patient, but making sure we take care of their loved ones as well. We offer special support groups just for patient caregivers and we are looking to revamp our ‘Cooking with Caregivers’ class offered by our dietician.”

Duke Raleigh has cancer-specific support groups, too.

There’s one just for breast cancer patients, one designed for female cancer patients called “Look Good, Feel Better” that focuses on appearance and self-confidence, and another for gynecologic oncology patients. No one should have to face cancer alone.

Angelina Jolie wrote in The New York Times, “I want to encourage every woman, especially if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, to seek out the information and medical experts who can help you through this aspect of your life, and to make your own informed choices.”

Knowledge is power. And clearly, so is prevention. “We’re making slow, but steady, progress in researching cancer,” says Dr. Deutsch. “We know [medicine is] better at preventing than treating, so our research focus is on prevention.”

Focusing on prevention is also a healthy way to live.

Learn more at dukeraleighhospital.org or by calling 1-888-ASK-DUKE.

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healthy you

Beauty that goes beyond Skin Deep.

The next generation of Skin rejuvenation.

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I

n the past, those seeking dramatic results for overall skin rejuvenation needed to go deep and aggressive in order to achieve visible improvement. However, the expression “beauty is pain” no longer holds true, as we now have options for acquiring dramatic results with little to no “downtime” and, better yet, no pain! With a new generation of medical aesthetic procedures referred to as fractional ablation and “gentle” fillers, one can safely and effectively treat superficial fine lines and deeper wrinkles, acne scarring, uneven skin tone/ complexion and a variety of other skin concerns. Let’s explore some of these breakthrough procedures that in as little as one to three treatments will have your skin looking and feeling younger, healthier, softer and more supple.

Non-Ablative Fractional Laser There are several versions of laser offering this type of treatment.

Lasers such as the Fraxel Dual and the new Halo by Sciton feature the Erbium wavelength of nonablative fractional technology; this is considered the gold standard for achieving maximum results with as little of one to two day days of real downtime (downtime may vary depending on which laser procedure is determined best for you and additional factors, which should be discussed with your provider).

Non-ablative fractional skin resurfacing works differently than traditional laser resurfacing, which fully ablates (removes) the upper (and often-time lower) layers of skin. While the results are amazing, traditional laser technology procedures also have weeks of healing time, which is not realistic for most of us that, well have lives. Devices such as Fraxel Dual and Halo by Sciton create microchannels deep within the skin without ever destroying the outer skin layers. These newly-created columns work to stimulate collagen, which provides a “plumping” effect to the skin, thus improving the overall texture by smoothing out lines, wrinkles and scarring.

In addition to textual improvements there is an evening of skin tone that comes from a second laser wavelength that is different from Erbium. This second wavelength targets unwanted pigment in the form of brown spots, sunspots, freckles and melasma.

What makes this technology so amazing is that you are able to treat multiple concerns in one treatment session. This allows for maximized

benefits, which often times means less overall treatments are needed.

Dermapen – Micro-Needling Similar to non-ablative fractional laser as it also creates microchannels in the skin, it does so through a different mechanism.

While a laser utilizes heat, which can produce more healing side effects such as swelling, Microneedling features tiny thin needles that can vibrate into various depths of the skin. The depth and speed selected will determine the overall results. When going deeper, a topical numbing agent is applied, which makes the procedure pain-free.

Typically a series of six treatments are performed to achieve maximum results. Most people experience significant improvement in the tone and texture of their skin. Micro-needling also helps to reduce the appearance of pore size, providing more skin clarity.

There are several different versions of Micro-needling systems, however an electronic “pen” version such as Dermpen is preferable to the traditional Micro-needling roller device. These roller devices can cause micro tears to the skin; you also cannot control the exact depth of penetration, and therefore may not see optimal results. Look for a medical provider that offers Mirco-needling via a pen to insure you will receive treatment using a medical-grade device. When properly performed, Micro-needling can yield excellent results with zero downtime. by anna churchill, synergy spa & aesthetics

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healthy you

3D

Mammography Seeing breast cancer in a new way

F

or Mary Leigh Hunter, getting an annual mammogram has always been a priority. Now, she considers it a lifesaver.

Mary Leigh, a 68-year-old grandmother living in Cary, didn’t have a family history of breast cancer, but she knew the statistics.

One in eight women in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. It’s most common in women over 50 years old. And it kills nearly 40,000 women a year.

So when it came time for Mary Leigh’s annual checkup, she wanted the best screening available. She had just learned about 3D mammography, a powerful new technology that provides a more detailed view of breast tissue than ever before.

Unlike a traditional mammogram, a 3D mammogram produces 15 angled views of the breast. The result: a 3D image of the breast that can be analyzed in a series of 1mm layers – like flipping through the pages of a book.

It was exactly what Mary Leigh wanted. But when she showed up for her appointment, she learned that 3D mammograms weren’t available at that location.

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It would have been easy for Mary Leigh to go ahead and get a traditional mammogram and make plans to get a 3D mammogram the following year. But she was persistent.

She rescheduled her appointment and says it’s the best decision she’s ever made.

Mary Leigh’s mammogram showed a questionable shadow. She had a follow-up appointment, then a biopsy.

It confirmed her worst fears: she had breast cancer.

Fortunately for Mary Leigh, the cancer was detected early. That’s the real advantage of 3D mammography – it allows physicians to better examine the location, size and shape of any abnormal tissue and more easily identify smaller, more invasive cancers.

The use of 3D mammography has been shown to improve breast cancer detection rates by up to 40 percent.

That’s one reason it is expected to soon become the new standard for mammograms.

Mary Leigh’s physician said he was astounded the cancer was detected. A traditional mammogram wouldn’t have spotted it, he said. The cancer would have continued to grow for another

year and likely required a much more aggressive treatment.

Today, Mary Leigh considers herself lucky. After having surgery and radiation treatments, she was declared cancer free.

She credits 3D mammography for saving her life and believes every woman should take advantage of the technology that is becoming available at leading radiology practices and hospitals.

Getting a 3D mammogram is the same experience as a traditional mammogram and the entire experience takes only 30 minutes from the time you check in until you walk out the door.

Today, Mary Leigh feels like she has a new lease on life. The breast cancer was an eye-opening experience that gave her a new perspective about what’s really important. She says there are things she wants to do in her life now that she is cancer free. At the top of the list: spending more time with her grandchildren.

by Dr. Danielle Wellman, Wake Radiology

Each year Midtown searches for the area’s top dining, shopping, entertainment and more! Make your vote count.

Voting begins September 2nd

www.midtownmag.com midtownmag.com | 155

healthy you

Post Summer

Skin Care

by Kristen Mullen, LE & Katlyn Forbes, LE, LORENA LUCA SPA

A

s the summer months draw to a close, a lot of us are left with the damaging aftermath of too much sun. Your skin may be tight, itch, and dehydrated, or maybe those unwanted age spots are beginning to appear on your cheeks and forehead. Too much UV exposure can lead to premature aging as well as skin cancer. Our goal as aestheticians is to help our clients stay educated and informed on proper skin care techniques for all seasons that will keep them looking and feeling their best!

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We’ve all been there, you layer on the sunscreen but somehow still manage to leave the beach with a sunburn. Well, did you know one of the best things you can treat your sun-damaged skin with is milk? It is an age-old beauty secret that will help increase moisture, calm, brighten and exfoliate dead skin cells, and reveal smoother, younger-looking skin. With most people the first thought is to slather on the moisturizer, but due to the build-up of thickened dead skin on your stratum corneum, the moisturizer

will not be able to penetrate to the deeper layers of your skin. Milk has naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acids that gently exfoliate while the proteins act as humectants, drawing moisture to the skin’s surface, making this a more effective way to moisturize and hydrate your skin.

Next we tackle those stubborn age spots that begin to appear on your face and chest after a long summer of sun exposure. These hyper-pigmented spots are areas where the sun has actually damaged your DNA, causing an uneven production of melanin. If these spots are fairly new you will want to tackle them immediately following the summer season in order to be the most effective. You can do this by consulting with your aesthetician and starting a monthly peel regimen. We typically recommend a series of three to six peels about two to four weeks apart in order to achieve desirable results.

Chemical peels work to remove the top layers of the skin to exfoliate and expedite cell turnover. This helps to even out your skin’s tone and texture, and even treat acne. Spas and skin centers will always carry different types of peels, so sometimes it may be overwhelming as to which one you need. This is where your aesthetician comes in and will give you a skin consultation in order to determine which peel best suits your needs.

The lighter peels are alpha and beta hydroxy acid peels, such as glycolic and salicylic. These peels are considered more of a treatment and help skin appear smoother and brighter. They can also help with moderate acne, minor skin discolorations, and will help serums and moisturizer be more effective. More aggressive peels include Jessner’s and TCA peels. Jessner’s peels use a blend of lactic and salicylic acids with resorcinol, a flaking agent, to help trigger the skin’s wound healing response. TCA peels will achieve the results similar to that of a superficial laser, by burning away the surface layer of the skin. As mentioned, these are more aggressive and “wound” the skin to stimulate healing, which in turn generates new, healthy tissue.

Of course, the first step in sun damage prevention is to protect yourself with protective clothing and a broad spectrum SPF that is reapplied every two hours. We can’t all be perfect, though, so it is good to know that there are options out there that can help reverse the damage before it’s too late.

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SPA TIME It is time for our annual spa guide – and just in time for the holidays! Be sure to check out how these spas can help you look good and be relaxed for the upcoming holiday season.

GIFT GUIDE Once you get all relaxed at the spa, we have our annual gift guide for you to get your shopping started! We will have everything from a scarf to candles to unique gifts you can buy locally! Be sure to consult our guide to help make your shopping fun and easy, and get you in the gift giving spirit.

GUIDE TO GIVING As we are approaching the “giving” season, we will list opportunities and places for you to give some of your time and become a volunteer. It’ll make you feel good and you’ll be helping others that need your time.

Midtown Reviews | Bain’s Beat | Calendar of Events | Healthy You living well | on the scene | Midtown Mingles | and much more!

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midtownmingles

new location for bird decorative hardware & Bath

To celebrate Bird Decorative Hardware & Bath’s move to their location in the Bonded Warehouse on Capital Boulevard, guests enjoyed wine and food while perusing the latest styles and trends in the plumbing and hardware industries.

independence day open house

The Joel Lane Museum House, “The Birthplace of North Carolina’s Capital”, sponsored its 23rd annual Independence Day Open House on July 4th. Over 600 visitors enjoyed re-enactors’ demonstrations, activities for children and tours of the historic buildings. More than 40 volunteers shared their expertise to the delight of the guests.

boutique blowout

Boutique Blowout, presented by Shop Local Raleigh, is the annual shopping event that brings together locally owned boutiques to sell off their excess inventory to the public. All of the boutiques and vendors had deeply discounted items on hand to help get a deal and also to help them clean out their inventory. A win-win for both!

Wine Walk for Charity

On the third Thursday of each month through September, visit Lafayette Village for a Wine Walk in support of a local charity.

Participating merchants will be offering free wine tastings at their businesses from 6-8pm. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through our shops and restaurants – a great way to see all the Village has to offer and taste some fabulous wines.

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midtownmingles

welcome back to shcool!

Saint Mary’s School welcomed 271 students back to school for the 2014-2015 academic year on August 16th. Colors were flying during the orientation day activity that had the all-girl student body sharing some fun before settling down to classes on Monday, August 18th.

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Summer SpaTacular Open House

Synergy Spa and Aesthetics held a Summer SpaTacular Skin Event where loyal clients enjoyed complimentary chair massages, paraffin hand dips, nail art and mini reflexology sessions. Raffle prize giveaways included products from Jane Iredale, Elta MD, Revision, Synergy Spa Day Packages, CoolSweats and C.T. Weekends, to name a few.Â

elle toney fashion show

The Elle Toney Fashion Show was a great success! Ticket sales benefitted the charity “Note in the Pocket”, an organization dedicated to supplying school kids in Wake County with quality clothes for school. Local children modeled the garments of two local retailers, nüvonivo and The Enchanted Fairy.

Networking at Skin Sense, A day spa

Skin Sense, A Day Spa in North Raleigh hosted a North Hills networking event that included fantastic food and refreshments.

Guests enjoyed mini spa treatments and visited Skin Sense’s new salt cave, the first of its kind in Raleigh.

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doTHISbetter By dan bain

throw a

better curveball

Let’s say you’ve already nailed the fastball. If not, well – maybe that’s a topic for a future column. But if you have, the important thing to remember is, the only similarity between the two is your arm speed. You want the batter to think s/he’s getting a fastball, so hurl at the same speed, but keep everything else different:

1

4

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5

You’ll get a tighter rotation if the ball’s seam provides resistance against your middle finger during your release.

Shorten your stride

Not a lot, but bring that front foot down from the wind-up maybe two to four inches shorter than usual.

3

Get your elbow up It should be at the same height as – or a little higher than – your throwing shoulder. Keep the elbow joint at a 90-degree angle – any more will add stress to the shoulder.

Keep a close arc

The ball should pass much closer to your head – a little above and away from your ear – than it is with the typically wide arc of a fastball.

Watch that release!

Hook your wrist and force your hand to pull down, using the aforementioned resistance to provide a tight rotation. Use a short arm; release it closer to your body than you would for a fastball.

take a better

pet photo

1. Avoid flash It can cause those demonic-looking eye bursts in the resulting photo, and might scare your pet. Try natural lighting, either outside or in a room with a big window.

2. Focus on the eyes They’re very expressive, and any portrait should keep them sharp.

3. Go to the animal They’ll feel more comfortable than if you force them to come to you. Also, shoot from their level; get down on the floor to show a more unique perspective – theirs!

4. Get a close-up Use a macro lens, and fill the frame with your pet.

5. Take them by surprise Let them play while you get ready, then call your pet. You’ll have their attention for a few seconds; take advantage of that.

6. Be patient!

Most animals eventually relax, so give yours time to do so, no matter how excited s/he is at the start of the session.

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Sources: digital-photography-school.com, thecompletepitcher.com

Check your grip

Sources: digital-photography-school.com, thecompletepitcher.com