STUDIO K CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26
PICK OF THE MONTH
Courtesy Hops N Shine
February’s book was The Vanishing Half, paired with this beautiful cocktail by C.J. Cross of Hops N Shine.
THE ZEBRA BOOK CLUB Have you heard? The Zebra Press started a virtual book club last month, and it’s off to a dazzling start! Many members heard about it through the Curbside Dining Facebook page, and eagerly joined the book club. More than a few of the members mentioned having always wanted to join a book club and were delighted to be able to do it so easily. Just visit the Zebra Facebook page and search “Zebra Book Club” to join the group. Members take part in a monthly poll to choose the book, and get access to the Zoom call for the meeting. For the first selection, publisher Mary Wadland
DINING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 About the extension, Bill Blackburn of Homegrown Restaurant Group says, “This benefits our Mexican concept (restaurant) Tequila and Taco the most since margaritas are a natural part of the program there. The ability to sell margaritas to-go benefits everyone. I mean, who doesn’t need a margarita right now?” The City of Alexandria has also acted by extending relaxed rules on its outdoor dining scene. “Outdoor dining was allowed in certain places but was heavily regulated. We basically threw out those rules and have allowed dining in streets, on sidewalks, parking lots, wherever we can make it
46 ZEBRA PRESS
Courtesy photo
The pick for March is The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict, as chosen by the Zebra Book Club member sin an online poll.
work,” says Mayor Wilson.
The ALX B2B All Weather Grant On Tuesday, October 27, Alexandria City Council voted to approve $500,000 of federal CARES Act funding for restaurant, retail and fitness businesses who wish to winterize outdoor business areas. The ALX B2B All Weather Grant is available to businesses that already hold permits for outdoor operations. Permit fees for adapting outdoor dining operations are waived. Also, according to an update from the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, 94 small businesses in Alexandria have each received a $5,000 grant through AEDP to support the acquisition and deployment of
offered the group several titles from which to choose in an online poll. Brit Bennet’s The Vanishing Half was the winner, and readers were then invited to pick up a special meal from Hops N Shine. Owner C.J. Cross created a beautiful and delicious cocktail and paired it with a lemon cake; both selections reflected key elements of the book. Voting was robust in the poll for the March selection, and the winning book was The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict. The date for the March meeting will be announced soon. Anyone can join the group at any time, so please find us on Facebook and join the fun!
all-weather and winterization equipment and materials. Funding is a foremost concern. Restaurant revenues provide jobs and income to thousands in the Alexandria area, and consumption-based taxes fund vital city operations such as schools, fire, and police departments. Both of these actions “were designed to help keep our businesses afloat during this challenging time,” says Mayor Wilson. An extension of relaxed regulations allows restaurants to adjust to a new normal, because daily life will likely never return to the normal we once knew. “This is just one step toward regulations that better fit our society,” says Bill Blackburn.
tography brings each piece to life in beautiful natural light, often perched on a deep green plant or a Kantha quilt, one of the collective’s most popular items for sale. Artists in the collective are grateful to be included. “In these difficult times, it means a lot to be a part of a group of female artists who are making the world more beautiful,” said Gioia Chilton, painter and mixed media artist. “Kirsten’s vision for a collective that collaborates instead of competes is inspired and inspiring.” Alexandria jewelry artist Leah Sturgis said, “I am delighted to be working with Kirsten. She has chosen a thoughtful group of artists and I’m glad to be one of them.” Eve Campeau of Eve’sentials agreed. “As a home-based natural soap maker, I’m honored to be a chosen artisan as part of Studio K Collective’s support for women-only businesses.” Kirsten McCulloch has been working with many of the collective’s artists for years. She also discovers new talent through friends, clients, and online resources. Connecting to an artist’s work that speaks to her sparks a thrill every time. And the feeling is mutual. “I feel honored to be among the women in the Studio K Collective. The caliber of their work and creativity is exemplary,” said Patricia Clarkson of Freshwa-
ter Blue. While it’s been a prolific time for artists, getting their work on the market has been challenging due to canceled shows and events. McCulloch had to re-think her business model and support artists she featured by getting their work online. She found joy in doing so, and that was the catalyst for the Studio K Collective. The Studio K Collective website is in development right now and should be online in a few weeks. In the meantime, interested shoppers can find the art on Facebook and Instagram, @ studiokcollective. McCulloch is happy to take shoppers through the collection virtually via FaceTime and can be reached through direct messaging on social media platforms. McCulloch is excited about the future of Studio K Collective. It is a longtime dream coming to fruition. Art shows and events will return eventually, and she sees opportunities for pop-up shops as well. She will continue to grow the collective online. “I’ve always wanted to create a space for different women artists to be seen and appreciated, and to make art available at every budget,” she said. “We should all have the opportunity to collect and enjoy art in our homes.” Follow Studio K Collective on Instagram (instagram. com/studiokcollective/) and Facebook, @studiokcollective. Kirsten is available via direct message on either of these platforms.
Photo: Studio K Collective
Crafted with natural and organic ingredients including plant-based botanicals and pure essential oils, Eve’sentials soaps are a popular item in the Studio K Collective.
QUOTABLES
May the roof above us never fall in. And may the friends gathered below it never fall out. —Irish blessing
MARCH 2021
