July/August 2013 - The South Roanoke Circle

centered
on
community.
family.
you.
july/august 2013
SoRo & the Art of Vegetable Gardening
By Adam Markham
Richard Ellis is passionate about gardening. It shows in his exposure to the sun. In fact, his garage was intentionally positioned
face and body language. You can hear it in the timbre of his voice to that end. He says that in season he gets full sun from 9:30amwhen he speaks with a boyish enthusiasm of conducting farm-to- 7:00pm.
table dinners with a friend. “I grew seventy-five pounds of Texas
Also key to his success is soil amendment. He adds river sand
and Georgia sweet onions from slips this year,” he proudly declares to loosen the soil, spreads his grass trimmings between the rows
while gesturing to a table
and covers the whole with
full of said alliums drying
compostable wheat straw.
in the garage behind his
In November he adds
home on Richelieu.
ground maple leaves to
You see, Ellis, like
the soil and tills it all under
many Americans, is what
in the spring. His diligence
we now refer to as an
pays off.
“urban farmer.” Not so
In addition to the
long ago, the majority of
sweet onions, he (mostly)
us personally produced at
organically
produces
least a portion of the food
acorn squash, potatoes
we consumed... this is no
(both Yukon Gold and
longer the case. We have
red), sweet potatoes,
largely become spoiled as
collard
greens,
kale,
a society; we expect (and
herbs,
figs,
lettuce,
are able) to simply walk
carrots, spinach, and
into a mega-market and
tomatoes. He also has five
grab a bag full of “baby”
mounds of watermelons–
carrots that have been
he adamantly insists on
whittled down to uniform,
the good, old-fashioned
tasteless little cylinders
black-seeded varieties. As
on a computer-controlled
of this writing, the melons
lathe. We go through the A host of onions from Richard Ellis’ Richelieu Avenue garden dry in the sun.
are no bigger than perfect
motions of finding that
little green-striped gold
Photo by Adam Markham
one “perfect” tomato for
balls.
our kitchen when, in reality, they are not only all equally blemish
If handled properly, Ellis says a modest urban garden can
free, but are equally tasteless and mealy as well. We purchase “provide food twelve months out of the year”. He points out his root
sealed containers of limp, vapid broccoli florets whose best days cellar as evidence of that effort. Keep in mind that Ellis produces all
are long behind them – all in the names of speed and convenience. of these fruits and vegetables out of an area of only seven hundred
We have forgotten how good true homegrown produce can be.
square feet in size. Indeed, surprisingly little space is needed for a
Thankfully, there are signs of turning tides. All over the United successful vegetable garden.
States, folks are trying their hands (not to mention their backs and
Due to poor soil, excessive distance from the kitchen, and
knees) at urban farming. While here in South Roanoke we might not other factors, this year my wife, Kendall, and I abandoned our five
face the challenges of say, a rooftop gardener in Brooklyn, obstacles thousand square foot garden in favor of a single four by eight foot
do still exist. One of the greatest is lack of sunlight. Those very raised bed I built of 2” x 6”s (She says that, given a reasonable
mature, regal trees that give this neighborhood its soul unfortunately amount of success, next year we can negotiate a second bed).
cast shade and shadow upon our gardening efforts. When I lived on
We installed an inexpensive sprinkler hose under a layer of
Stephenson Avenue, what I wouldn’t have given to grow a tomato mulch and connected it to a timer. There is much to be said for
but, unless planted on the very curb in front of the home, it was not
— Continued on page 11
to be. Ellis has situated his garden in such a way as to maximize
THREE FREE CHECKINGACCOUNTS
NO MONTHLY FEES, NO MINIMUM BALANCE.
p
Come by any Valley Bank office
or visit MyValleyBank.com.
Let us help you choose the one
that best fits your needs and
customize it to fit your style.
Member FDIC
Normal account opening policies
and procedures apply.
AreYouWithValley Yet?
She Said...
Lillian King Meidlinger
editor, right brain
[email protected]
761.0728
Lisa Boschen Bowers
advertising executive, left brain
[email protected]
353.2380
Mary Anne Marx
photographer, creative consultant
[email protected]
345.6279
Amy Takacs, Creative Outlet
graphic designer
[email protected]
Johnny Meidlinger
internet kung fu
Jill Hufnagel & Brent Stevens
founders, creative consultants
The South Roanoke Circle
2517 S. Jefferson Street
Roanoke VA 24014
540.353.2380
This summer marks our 11th year in South Roanoke. From the time we bought our house in
2002, I have dreamed about renovating its dated, strangely laid out, and unattractive kitchen.
Not wanting to take out a loan, we saved and planned for this project for a decade. By last fall,
we had set aside the amount I thought was needed and started getting bids on the work.
After ten weeks or so of a lot of other people’s hard work, my dream of a gorgeous new
epicurean center has come true. I LOVE my new space and can often be found gazing around
at it in awe of my good fortune and painstakingly wiping out each tiny crumb from the new
cooktop.
Not to sound all Pollyanna-like but until the last week or two of the project, I honestly never
felt the weight of inconvenience that having no kitchen can bring. I happily made use of the
makeshift kitchen we set up in the dining room. I toasted up many a fine meal in there. Between
that and the Groupons and Daily Deals I hoarded, we ate quite decently. Oh and did I mention
that my mom invited us for meals multiple times per week? We didn’t exactly rough it.
I also have to say that even though the bottom line was cause for significant pause, as I
watched the amount of time, work, materials, and above all, talent, that went into our renovation,
the price is no longer shocking to me. I’ve always admired people who can visualize physical
spaces, but the breadth and depth of knowledge required to realize that vision is mind-boggling
(at least to me). Unfortunately, rather than feeling empowered to be a bit more “DIY”, I just feel
intimidated at all there is to learn…
This was the first homeowner construction project my husband and I ever embarked on but
when we first landed here and were looking at houses in South Roanoke, we took note of the
numerous construction signs all over the neighborhood. Our realtor told us that once people
live here, they’d rather build on what they want or need than leave. That’s quite a selling
point for the old ‘hood. And I get it now in a way that I did not back then. I love our home
and neighborhood and can’t imagine moving because there aren’t enough rooms, closets, or
modernity. I’d rather either adapt us or the space we have. Having to do laundry in the dank
basement occasionally makes me want to flee but other than that, I see no reason to look any
further than our sometimes crumbly lath and plaster walls. Even if we have to knock one down
every once in a while. —LKM
Parade Players
southroanokecircle.com
Our intent is to provide a
neighborhood publication
that celebrates community
and fosters connection
among neighbors. In so doing,
we seek to strengthen the
neighborhood bond, to encourage our children to share their
voices, and to nurture a future of
collective growth. Finally, we wish
to share in the discovery of the
people and places that make this
neighborhood thrive.
~
We reserve the right to refuse
publication of any material we
deem unsuitable for this venue
and/or our readership.
It takes a fair number of people to pull our neighborhood Independence Day parade together.
Pictured here are some of the folks crucial to helping us march around the block(l-r): Jay Kincanon,
Pearl Fu, Helen Fitzpatrick, Eric Fitzpatrick, Twila DiMarco, Adrian DiMarco, and Daniel DiMarco.
Not pictured here (but you can see them on page 9!) are Alice Loftin (aka The Lemonade Lady) and
the Firefighters of Station 8. The South Roanoke Circle would like say “thank you” on behalf of the
neighborhood to all of the people who helped plan our celebration. It was great to see so many
people show up all decked out - see you next year!
Photo by Mary Anne Marx
Get the lead (or laptop) out!
Got a great lead on a neighborhood story?
A funny tale to tell about life in SoRo?
copyright 2013
The South Roanoke Circle, LLC
all rights reserved.
Advice on a subject that may interest folks in
the ‘hood? An ode to lightning bugs, leaves, or
Lipes? We’d love to hear about it! Please share
your ideas or submissions with us using the
contact information to the left.
2
It’s Always Sunny on Lockridge
Look, We’re Busy Running Our Police State Here
by Katie McKernan
It was a source of conflict and trauma for many years: poolside
ice cream. As soon as the summer season started, those (quite
honestly, not very good) treats started calling from the snack stand.
Nutty Buddies, Strawberry Shortcakes, not to mention the pinnacle:
the Big Bopper. For years, we
fought the good fight, trying to
limit our kids’ sugar intake and
our rising club bills. Sometimes we
won, and by win, I mean reducing
our children to tears, screaming,
“But why can’t I have a third ice
cream? Everyone else is!” But
mostly we lost.
Until The System, that is.
A few years back, I decided
we were done with this bull, err,
garbage, and implemented the
ice cream rules:
1) Two per week, per child
2) Rollover day is Sunday
3) No carryovers
4) Bad behavior may result in
loss of ice cream
The McKernan minions weren’t
happy, per se, as this clearly put
a cap on the maximum number of
treats, but they also recognized
that, misdemeanors aside, there
was a guarantee of two frozen
delights. Add to that the fact that
they no longer had to ask or be
subject to the whims of their
parents in the dessert category and they saw a tangible upside.
That first summer progressed with much less fighting and parentchild conflict (in this category anyway). You could count on Eion, ever
in danger of punitive action, using both his credits on Sunday, but
he also knew not to fuss the rest of the week. We were so successful
that some family friends got on board. After smoothing out some
details (best friends should definitely have the same rollover date),
we enjoyed poolside harmony.
By the next summer, The System was engrained in the children’s
consciousness. No battles and no explanations needed. Victory was
ours. (Providing you see buying six ice creams a week as victory.
Low expectations around here.) So when I heard the plight of some
Lockridge neighbors, I knew they
needed to be brought into the
fold. “The first day,” my friend,
Jen, told me, “My husband and I
knew we were going to be strong.
There would be no astronomical
club bills. No constant stream of
snacks and dessert. We lasted all
of 40 minutes.”
I laid it all out and the theory
was A-OK. But here’s the kicker:
their kids are 3 and 5. Would the
younger set embrace the plan?
We didn’t have to wait long
for the answer–see transcript of
conversation en route to the pool:
Jules (age 3): Mommy, is it the
weekend?
Jen: Yes it is.
Jules: Which day of the weekend
is it?
Jen: It’s Sunday.
Jules: Ooh! It’s rollover day! New
ice creams!
Jules, welcome to The System.
Jen, perhaps we need some
Lockridge Strong shirts.
Though our plan is not without its
detractors. I posted something to Facebook once about how it was
a new week with a new ice cream allotment and a friend of mine,
pregnant with her first child, commented back, “Oh why limit, it’s
summer!”
Look lady, we’re trying to run a police state around here. When
it comes to ice cream anyway. One look at Eion, a week out from a
bath and in snow boots at the pool, will let you know that bathing
and fashion clearly have differing levels of scrutiny.
August 2 is National
Ice Cream Sandwich Day!
Neighborhood Events
for July & August
Try a homemade version by plunking a scoop of
your favorite flavor between two cookies. A fun
and tasty way to celebrate this summer day...
July 2-27: The Market Gallery features artists Bonnie Burt
and Ann Glover.
July 18, 4:00pm-7:00pm: Downtown Roanoke brings City
Market to Riverside Sports Complex (will continue each
Thursday through August 29).
Office Building For Lease
2122 Carolina Avenue
July 30-August 24: The Market Gallery features Roberta
McGuire and Judy Arkell/Ross Arkell.
• Locate your office in South Roanoke
• Well-appointed and decorated building
with conference room, training room,
ample office space and storage
August 2: Art by Night (downtown)
Thursday, August 15 at Crystal Spring Elementary School:
9:00AM: Kindergarten Orientation; 10:30AM: Preschool
Orientation; 1:00PM-3:00PM: Open House for Students in
Grades 1-5
• On-site parking
August 19: First Day of School for Roanoke City Schools
Krista Vannoy, CCIM
Roanoke, Virginia
540.342.0881
[email protected]
August 27-September 25: The Market Gallery features
Donna Ramsey Nevers and Susan B. Bidwell.
3
JMU
Outreach &
Engagement
Six Sigma
Certificate
(DUQ\RXU6L[6LJPD&HUWLÀFDWLRQ
FRPSOHWHO\RQOLQHZLWK-DPHV0DGLVRQ
8QLYHUVLW\
2QOLQH*UHHQ%HOW&HUWLÀFDWH
4 Week Program
$XJXVW
2QOLQH%ODFN%HOW&HUWLÀFDWH
8 Week Program
6HSWHPEHU2FWREHU
2QOLQHFODVVHVPHHWRQZHHNGD\HYHQLQJV
This program is designed
for working adults. Online
training includes modules
that you complete at your
own pace as well as live
sessions led by a master
black belt instructor.
www.JMUSixSigma.org
540-908-4578
Learn more at an upcoming, free online
information session. RSVP at JMUSixSigma.org
Jefferson Internal Medicine
Associates, Ltd.
Jefferson Medical Park
1111-B South Jefferson Street • Roanoke, VA 24016-4791
540-342-1007 • Fax 540-345-4643
• Private Traditional Practice
• Serving the Roanoke Valley over 30 years
• Welcoming New Patients
• Offering Complete Adult/Geriatric Primary Care
• Providing Care in the “Old Fashioned” Personal Style
• Admitting and Following Our Patients Each Day During an
Admission to LewisGale Hospital
• Admission to Carilion Facilities through their Hospitalist
Bush-Flora Shoes
Anne M. Jaeger, M.D.
James H. Gardner, M.D.
Lawrence K. Monahan, M.D.
Charles H. Peterson, Jr., M.D.
Adel M. Salama, M.D.
Over 100 years of serving Roanoke
Towers Shopping Center
540-344-7398
(Physicians pictured left to right)
4
8ITM\\M8ZWÅTM"
Portrait of Jenni Nolen
Now a resident of Richelieu Avenue, Portrait artist Jenni Nolen doing it. Her main medium
grew up on a farm in Callaway in Franklin County. As a child, “I is pastel (which she taught
was always drawing things,” recalls Jenni. She got the chance to herself to use). At first, the
hone her artistic skills as a teenager, “I had a really great high convenience and portability
school teacher,” she says. That teacher, Bill Saari, also happens to of pastels made them appealing
be a current resident of South Roanoke. Bill was a great inspiration but now, “I just love the finish of
in Jenni’s life, “he’s the one that encouraged me to pursue art,” she them…the way they soften things,”
notes. He would do things such as take groups of students to New says Jenni. She also often does portraits in
York City so that they could see SoHo artist studios in action.
graphite.
After high school, Jenni headed off to Richmond and Virginia
Waiting in the wings was another career: Jenni and Rob opened
Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts. She
Cantos Booksellers in downtown Roanoke in 1998.
attended classes there for two years and, to her
The bookstore became Jenni’s new passion. It also
parents’ mortification, declared a major in Fiber
fed into her love for art; as new art books arrived,
Arts (which includes skills such as weaving and
she would discover the work of other artists and
fabric design). In the end, two years was enough
their techniques. When Jenni came across a book
for Jenni to decide that big city life was not for her;
featuring New York pastel artist Daniel Green, “it
the transition from rural life in Callaway to college
made me realize that maybe this is something I
in Richmond was too difficult. She transferred to
can learn.” She had never worked with pastels
Roanoke College and got back to her original
before and now it is one of her favorite mediums.
calling: drawing and painting.
Many contemporary artists are sources of
Jenni finished a degree in studio art at Roanoke
inspiration to Jenni, such as Brooklyn artist David
College and also met her future husband, Rob
Kassan, known for his life-size realist portraits. “I
Clark, there. They married shortly after graduation.
really love realism as far as an art genre,” says
Jenni and Rob lived in Raleigh Court and
Jenni.
welcomed a daughter, Morgan, in the years that
Rob and Jenni welcomed a son, Sam, in
followed college. Jenni would do drawings of Graphite on paper, 11 x 14 by
2003. A couple of years later, they sold Cantos
Morgan and other kids in the neighborhood. Jenni Nolen
Booksellers and decided it was time to find a
Her favorite subjects are pouty kids. “There’s
larger home. The family moved from Raleigh
something so endearing about a child that doesn’t feel like smiling,” Court to Richelieu Avenue. “It’s got that great neighborhood feel
she says. Noting her talent, Jenni’s mother-in-law suggested that good for the kids,” says Jenni.
Jenni could make a career out of doing children’s portraits. From
Jenni is primarily a commissioned artist, though her work can
there, things sort of happened organically; people started asking occasionally be seen at places such as North Cross School where
Jenni to do portraits and her hobby became a job.
Sam is a student. You can also see her work at jenninolen.com and
Jenni didn’t study portraiture in school; she has just always loved she can be contacted at [email protected].
Did you know...
We have 2 conference
rooms and can
accommodate
gatherings of up to
36 people.
In addition to our 60+
standard rooms, we have
two guest suites with
kitchenettes for long-term
stays or for when you need
just a bit more space.
Colony House Motor Lodge
South Roanoke’s Guest Room
3560 Franklin Road • Roanoke • (540) 345-0411 / (866) 203-5850
5
What to Read,
If you spend time wondering what to read next, The South Roanoke Circle did a little investigating on the subject for
you. We asked questions about the reading experience in general and also for advice on what to read right now.
Following you will find what a smattering of South Roanokers had to say. This could take awhile, so fix yourself a
beverage, find a comfy chair and take a peek at what’s on your neighbors’ nightstands! Keep a pen handy, too.
You may want to take a few notes.
and The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
Lord of Misrule by Jaimy Gordon,
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor
E. Frankl, City of Women by David
R. Gillham, Frozen in Time by Mitchel
Zuckoff, and Catherine the Great by
Robert K. Massie.
Name a classic that you thought
was overrated.
The Grapes of Wrath
I don’t think I’ve ever found a classic
overrated.
Moby Dick…BORING classifications of
fish ad infinitum!
A Confederacy of Dunces by John
Kennedy Toole
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas
Hardy
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
War and Peace by Tolstoy
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Name a book you’ve been
meaning to read for years, but
haven’t gotten around to.
Sense and Sensibility and so, so many
more!
Phone Book by Verizon?
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s
Court by Mark Twain
Moby Dick, but honestly I will probably
die without reading it.
Gone With The Wind, Jane Eyre
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara
Kingsolver
The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien
Oh, I am, I am, going to read The
Brothers Karamazov! Who are those
boys anyway.
What book do (did) your kids
beg you to read over and over
at bedtime?
Anything Berenstain Bears! and/or Dr.
Seuss
The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The
Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle
A Very Special House by Ruth Krauss
We read a lot of the Bear books over &
over (e.g., Bear Snores On)
The longest one they can find.
Favorite picture books were all the Sally
books by Stephen Huneck, Click,
Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by
Doreen Cronin, The Digging-est Dog
by Al Perkins and Where The Wild
Things Are by Maurice Sendak
none, not a “read-y” guy
The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss (We would
play with their feet while reading this
so I imagine they were more interested
in having their feet messed with then
they were actually enthralled with the
book!)
As a mother of three, I have earned my
lifetime achievement award solely on
the basis of reading Richard Scarr y
books over and over and over...
What books are on your
nightstand right now?
Dearie (about Julia Child), Being
George Washington by Glen Beck
Sabbath by Wayne Muller and A New
Earth by Eckhart Tolle…both life
changers
Brunelleschi’s Dome by Ross King (trip
planned to Italy in the fall) and The
Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by
Rachel Joyce
The Message by Eugene H. Peterson
The End of Your Life Book Club by
Will Schwalbe, Fun With Stunts by
Alexander Van Rensselaer, and The
Art Spirit by Robert Henri, The Bible,
and Bent Objects: The Secret Life of
Everyday Things by Terry Border
East of Eden by John Steinbeck and my
book club pick, Tell the Wolves I’m
Home by Carol Brunt
Cold Sassy Tree, Praying The Scriptures
For Your Teenager
Bono by Michka Assayas and The Sun
Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
The Racketeer by John Grisham and
Why My Third Husband Will
Be a Dog by Lisa Scottoline
Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen
Provenance: How a Con Man
and a Forger Rewrote the
History of Modern Art by
Laney Salisbury and Aly Sujo
6
daughter did not love my childhood
favorite (and her grandmother’s
favorite) Anne of Green Gables by
L.M. Montgomery, but I forced her to
listen to me read it!
All!
Encyclopedia Brown books
How could my beloved children not
want to hear Little Women?
What poem can you recite from
memory?
Annabelle Lee by Edgar Allen Poe
Memory? I can’t even remember my
own telephone number!
None, I have a terrible memory
The Twenty-third Psalm
The Raggedy Man by James Whitcomb
Riley
Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
other than nursery rhymes, none
Funny you asked, I have just memorized
The Tiger by Blake, well, ok, ok, I
have the first three stanzas down but
I’m working on it! Caroline Kennedy
made me feel bad. There is no peace,
I was minding my own business and
there she is on the radio encouraging,
I say admonishing, the entire adult
population of the United States of
America to memorize poetry. Guilt,
quilt, quilt so I’m trying already.
Favorite snack while reading?
Try not to! But almonds, roasted but not
salted.
Cashews...unsalted!
What book did you want to read Water or wine
ed peanuts and a Dr.
to your kids that they had no Chocolate cover
Pepper
interest in?
r snack while reading…I don’t
Neve
Beatrix Potter
think
Winnie the Pooh (but would watch the
good cigar
A
movies endlessly)
Grey tea and Trader Joe’s Maple
Earl
None
Cookies
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saintherbal tea; 8pm: glass of wine
4pm:
Exupery
ed peanuts
I tried to read Wind in the Willows to chocolate cover
s
m&m’
plain
My
it.
stand
my son but he couldn’t
I never eat while I’m reading, I
apparently can’t do two things
at once.
Real book, Nook or Kindle,
etc.?
The SoRo readers we polled were
overwhelmingly in favor of real
books over e-readers. Only 2 of
15 admitted using an e-reader
and even they only use them
occasionally. Cited reasons for
“real appeal”? “Love the smell
of paper and ink and the flutter
of pages!” and “I can not bear
to lose the tactile experience of
reading.” One comedienne waxed
poetic but evaded the question:
“A Nook or a book? How about
a book in a nook with a peach at
the beach?”
Is there a book your
friends would be surprised
to find you read and liked?
Golf in the Kingdom by Michael
Murphy
Proof of Heaven by Eben
Alexander, MD
Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr
Solzhenitsyn
The Stranger by Albert Camus
The Women of Whitechapel and
Jack the Ripper by Paul West
Buffy the Vampire Slayer graphic
novels
People Who Eat Darkness,
Lucie
of
Fate
the
rd L.
Richa
by
Blackman,
who
,
crime
Parry. True
knew!
What to Read...
challenge, but it’s like reading
his own work. That’s sure to
Genre you repeatedly find
several books in one.
brighten your day.
most satisfying:
I love big, sweeping sagas, a la Pat
Hot Picks for Hot Days
Historical fiction (5 mentions)
Conroy like Beach Music or The
Looking for a book to read by the
Self Help/Psychology
Prince of Tides.
pool, take to the beach, or just
Humor
n I think of a summer read,
while away a stormy summer Whe
Fiction
I think of Prodigal Summer by
afternoon? Here are some of
mystery
Barbara Kingsolver. While it is
your neighbors’ all-time favorite
all the “horsey” books by Dick
not my favorite of her books, she
summer reads.
Francis
captures the heat of the summer,
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (4
sweeping novels with complicated
the heaviness and the humidity
mentions)
characters
so vividly that summer just jumps
She’s Come Undone by Wally
novels
off the pages. Another book
Lamb
that comes to mind is To Kill A
A Thousand Splendid Suns by
What book is far and away
Mockingbird, which spans more
Khaled Hosseini
better than the movie?
than just one season but makes
Room by Emma Donoghue
The Great Gatsby
me feel the heat of a deep south
Extremely Loud and Incredibly
I avoid seeing the movie if I really
summer as surely as if I were
Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
loved the book because I cannot
sitting on that front porch drinking
Stones for Ibarra by Harriet Doerr
bear to be disappointed.
sweet tea with Atticus!
I Don’t Know How She Does It by
Plan 9 from Outer Space I would
Well, I have fond memories
Allison Pearson
think...because it is the worst
associated with last summer’s
Sula by Toni Morrison
movie of all time!
[book club] read of The Paris Wife
The Stand by Stephen King
Most all
by Paula McLain. While not the
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper
best book we’ve read as a group,
Any Jack Reacher novel by Lee
Lee
I thought it provoked interesting
Child
Isn’t ever y book far and away better
discussions within our group
ente by David Maraniss
than the movie? Kite Runner was Clem
about that particular time and
Alaska by James Michener
beyond horrendous on screen.
space in literary and cultural
The Imperfectionists by Tom
The Shining by Stephen King
history, as well as about
Rachman
My son and I both agree that
Hemingway. As a bonus, the
Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold
by
continued
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by the The
conversation
Fry by Rachel Joyce
le
eab
Mov
A
of
Atwaters was a wonderful book
read
to
us
leading
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
was
it
o
ay–s
ingw
and a lousy movie.
Hem
by
Feast
Damage by Josephine Hart
Most books which have been
a two-month discussion–bonus!
and
is
Kied
ony
Anth
Scar Tissue by
turned into movies!!!
I also liked that it provided the
Larr y Sloman
The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy
excuse for a fine French meal
When You Are Engulfed in Flames
Isn’t the book always better than
with some of my favorite
by David Sedaris
the movie? Anna Karenina
people. For me, it’s as much
and
and The Castaways by Elin Hilderbr
Loud
Extremely
and
about the food and the
Hunger Games series by
Incredibly Close jump to my mind The
friendship as it is about
Suzanne Collins
as examples of books that far
the book.
The Night Circus by Erin
surpassed their movie versions.
Morgenstern
Special thanks go out
Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
The
d
-lou
out
Best ever laughto survey participants
The Fault in our Stars by John
book?
Anne Marie Poore,
Greene
From
Dearie has some laugh out loud
hers,
the de
Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Jen Brot
M
sk of C
y Sum
parts. Julia Child could be pretty The
k,
atric
Fitzp
Eric
a
mer R
Kingsolver
eading rter Broth
bawdy! She definitely had her
e,
Peak
cy
Nan
nette
Jean
by
ers:
tle
L
ist
The Glass Cas
With
“broad” side!
n
Hele
t
h
o
ughts
Walls
and w
of sl
Anything written by David Sedaris
Fitzpatrick,
arm o
yed
ightly
Stra
ryl
Che
by
Wild
cean
LOL.
to
p
a
sunbu
p
e
consistently causes me
b
r
r
b
e
Jill
a
e
Tom
c
z
by
rned
ber
k
e
Octo
s
summ
, here
The Hunt for Red
shoul
s
o
e
r
is my
y
Anything by Millard Fillmore
p
o
l,
ders
age
u
u
Hufn
l
p
d
o
c
l
n
cy
h
is
Clan
’
o
t
t
olas
ic
Nich
f
o
by
o
r
e
b
o
s
f
s
m
e
A Much Married Man
(
g
s
x,
g
restin
ood
otta b
s abo
g the
in Full and Lonesome Dove by Joe Mar
ut th
e pape
WXUQLQ
spine
e page
rback
Coleridge - just hilarious British Man
J
y
Mar
Z
o
LW
n
s
KZHW
your d
getting
Larr y McMurtry
ßQJHU
amp s
humor
wet
Anne Marx,
V
horts
ted Picks
ota
Ann
e
Som
,
And
¸
/
and fr
R
y
Q
H
n
V
Susa
Big Trouble by Dave Barr
R
son,
om
PH 'R
Kate Erics
0F0X
YH¶ RU
Bossy Pants by Tina Fey, laugh out
UWU\
¸&RP
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without
er Brothers,
Cart
an,
Jord
DQFKH
¸5HG
loud funny.
0RR
'UDJR
y
Me? (and Other Concerns) by
Q¶ E\
Q¶RU
Harris
Sapphires by Ruth Lisa Bowers, Mar
and
lic
Gar
¸
/DUU\
6
LO
H
Q
Mindy Kaling
beth
F
Eliza
H
kila,
Gre
R
and
cook
I
to
me
ires
W
insp
K
hl,
¸
Reic
(
H
k
D
Mar
/
W
by
HUVRI
DPEV¶
Crazy in Alabama
Jamison, Kate
E\7K
WKH'
&ULFKW
just takes sushi to a new level.
HDG¶R
RPDV
R
Q
,
Pillis
Childress
n
U
Kare
,
lilian
¸
Kha
r,
Tyle
X
Ann
by
U
s
D
Year
of
V
¸
er
:
V
Ladd
LF
D
on
WFKHUV
3DUN¶
Any books by Bill Brys
er King, Joanie
E\0LF
¶RU¸
¸7K
middle-aged mom takes a walk Jenif
+LGHDZ
KDHO
H
/
R
ael
Anything and ever ything by David
U
Mich
D
G
an,
\
Laum
¶
s
R
keep
R
just
I
E
and
U
\
ch
¸7KH
WKH5
the bea
'
on
H
D
Q
.RRQW
LQJV¶
+REELW
Sedaris
Lauman, and Janey
K
]
¶E\walking...yikes!
557 H\WKUHHER
It’s Not All Flowers and Sausages:
stle
ntca
R
Mou
R
N
ham
)
O
Abra
VLQR
N
by
R
e
LH
Ston
U
for
Q
ing
Q
Cutt
R
de
Gra
QH
Q
nd
SXOS\
My Adventures in Seco
LH
.LQGOH
saga with interesting
a
,
hese
Verg
,
U
HDGHUV
ZDQW
by Mrs. Mimi
,RI
PRUH
¸7KH
twists that connects people from
IHUWK
IURP
)DXOW
HIROO
When You Are Engulfed in Flames
P\ ER
LQ
et.
2
plan
the
RZLQJ
¸
of
s
X
$7KR
side
RN RU
U
osite
opp
6
W
D
U
X
V
V
by David Sedaris
¶
D
QG6SO
E\-RK
¸7K
Victor Hugo, the
by
es
rabl
H
Misé
Q
Les
Q
H
G
*
LG
*
U
U
H
6
H
H
D
Q
X
Ditto on David Sedaris
W
H
Q
*DWV
V¶E\
ßUVWQ
E\¶ E\
play and the movie don’t even
.KDOHG
DPH
WKDW
+RVV
Bridget Jones books
big
a
It’s
¸
J
ce.
1
X
HLQ
surfa
\ ZLWK
HYHU/
scratch the
HW0H
WKH LQ L
Funny, I always reach for David
le
who
the
¸
*
take
7
d
LW
coul
R
KH/R
LDOHG
¶E\.
book and
UGRI
D]XR
Sedaris - any title - better yet,
WKH5
,VKLJX
if your up for the
read
to
mer
sum
LQ
ing
read
U
J
aris
R
V¶FD
listen to David Sed
Q›
WEHU
HDGHQ
7
RXJK
Not Yer Mama’s Page
The Reel Deal Movie Review
Monsters University
By Seth Childers
It is difficult to keep a good track record for
as long as Pixar has, but it is a remarkable feat to
make some of the best animated films of the last
decade–some of them back-to-back. Naturally they
would inevitably release a dud like Cars 2, but
their recent decline into making sequels for many
of their older films (such as the upcoming Finding
Dory) feels like the legendary studio is losing their
touch. Monsters University, thankfully, is another
solid though hardly groundbreaking–film from Pixar
that builds the origin story of Mike and Sully from
Monsters, Inc. successfully while also having an
identity of its own.
The best quality of Monsters University is how it
cleverly ties in to ideas from its predecessor and also
expands on its universe further. The movie even takes clever jabs
at horror movies in the process through one of many surprisingly
clever moments. These great expansions on the Monsters universe
are what keep the otherwise extremely familiar plot refreshing
throughout the whole 104-minute running time. Unfortunately, it
does not quite prevent the middle act from feeling a bit too slow,
but the movie makes up for it with a great final act
that pulls a surprising U-turn on the story and delivers
some notably deep moments.
Monsters University is by no means Pixar’s best film,
but dismissing it for not living up to the likes of Up,
WALL-E or Toy Story 3 would be overlooking what is
a very enjoyable and well-made movie. Even if the
story is not as perfected as other Pixar films–including
Monsters, Inc.–the animation is stunning and vibrant,
the voice acting is excellent all-around, and the story
still has its clever moments that make up for the lesser
ones. While Monsters University does tread on old
ground, it is still great family entertainment for all
ages with a great message and a great heart.
Seth Childers is a 2012 graduate of Hidden Valley
High School where he was a member of the school newspaper
staff. He just completed his freshman year at Roanoke College
and plans on majoring in English. Seth writes movie reviews for
a variety of local publications; you can follow his work online at
http://reeldealreviews.com/.
:LOOLDPVRQ5G5RDQRNH9D
ZZZFRPPXQLW\VFKRROQHW
8
photos by Mary Anne Marx
7th Annual Neighborhood 4th of July Parade Scrapbook
9
Marketplace
City of Roanoke
Waste Collection
Schedule
July 22: Paper Products/Brush
Estate planning, including two wills with
contingent trust for minors, general powers
of attorney, “living wills,” and medical
directives/medical powers of attorney.
Mention this ad for a special price.
July 29: Bottles & Cans/Bulk
Steven L. Higgs, P.C., 9 Franklin Road, SW
540-400-7990
August 5: Paper Products/Brush
PC DOCTOR
August 12: Bottles & Cans/Bulk
(540) 632-8948
On-Site Computer Repair & Upgrades
Custom Built Computers
www.monsterpconline.com
August 19: Paper Products/Brush
September 2: Bottles & Cans/Bulk
.PM[*LY[PÄJH[LZ(]HPSHISL
ESTATE SALE IN SOUTH ROANOKE
Contents of Old Family Home
2407 Crystal Spring Ave • Roanoke 24014
Saturday, August 10, 8 am - 2 pm
Sunday, August 11, 1 pm - 4 pm
Antiques including English claw foot table, Arts & Craft
mission desk, Hoosier cabinet, cupboards, dressers, tables,
bedsteads, WWI & WWII memorabilia/uniforms, tools old &
new, cameras, microscopes, art, collectibles, lamps, trunks,
gems & minerals, antique sewing machine, books, LPs,
refrigerator and much more. Cash & local check w/ID only.
www.downtownroanoke.org
10
Continued from page 1 —
working smarter, not harder. Out of this tiny thirty-two square foot plot
we have harvested tremendous amounts of kale, numerous beets and
cucumbers, and are also growing fennel bulb, tomatoes, leeks, and
five different kinds of hot peppers...not a bad return for a minimal
amount of effort.
Another intensely dedicated urban farmer is David Wine. I mean
dedication. “(Gardening) is why I’m not a better golfer” Wine quips.
He starts virtually everything in his substantial garden from seed. In
fact, he has built a dedicated germination room in the basement of
his beautiful Avenham Avenue home, complete with grow lights and
in-floor drainage.
With a truly admirable memory, Wine lists off the varietals
included in his fifty-four tomato plants (his true passion), including
“Big Boys”, “Cherokee Purple”, “Paul Robison” and the delightfully
named “Mortgage Lifter.” Likewise, he is able to name most of the
23 different eggplants represented in his wonderfully manicured and
orderly garden. A rabid fan of eggplant, he professes to having tried
as many as fifty different varietals before settling on these.
Like Ellis, Wine benefits year round from the bounty of his garden.
He pickles cucumbers, freezes beans, and makes marinara sauce to
last through the winter. Also like Ellis, he believes in proper care of
the soil. He has his garden on a strict clockwise rotation program to
help minimize nutrient depletion.
In addition to the aforementioned tomatoes and eggplant, Wine
grows beans, peas (including a yellow variety of snow pea), peppers,
nine different kales and six different mustards, just to name a few.
He also propagates a small orchard producing four varieties of figs
in addition to apples, plums, damsons, persimmons, sour cherries,
and paw-paws, an indigenous member of the banana-custard family.
Oh... and he also raises chickens.
Folks like Richard Ellis and David Wine are carrying on a tradition
almost as old as mankind itself. Rather than insulating themselves
from their food choices, they are playing an active role in what they
eat. Maybe urban farming or gardening in general is not for you
and that’s okay. Perhaps, however, you might want to give it a try.
You may find, like Ellis, Wine, and myself, that the rewards are more
than worth the effort it takes... in fact, they extend much further than
the produce you harvest.
Grill-Roasted Corn with Lime-Bacon Butter
While you can leave the ears of corn unhusked when grilling, I prefer
the charring that grill roasting husked ears lends to the kernels. Simply
husk your ears of corn and remove any silk. Wash, lightly oil and
grill low and slow until the ears are showing some decent charring
around the edges. Serve with lime-bacon butter (recipe follows).
Lime & Bacon Butter
3 slices thick cut smoked bacon
½ pound salted butter at room temperature
2 T. freshly grated lime zest
2 Fresno chili peppers, seeded and minced finely
Hot Summer Deals on Cool Jewelry
30% Off Select “One of a Kind” Pieces
15% Off Sterling Silver
Including new stock that has just arrived!
Formerly Frank L. Moose, Jeweler
1919 Westover Ave., SW, Roanoke
www.fgeoffreyltd.com
540.345.8881
Hours by appointment only.
Call 345-8881 or e-mail [email protected].
Upcoming Concerts
Exciting 2013 Concert Series Events!
Music, Drinks, Friends & Fun Party with a Purpose
LOCATION: SunTrust Plaza at Franklin
Road in Downtown Roanoke.
Must be 21. Gates open at 5.
8/2 — The Kings & Project 4
8/16 — Too Much Sylvia
9/6 — the WORX
9/20 — Superhold
Benefitting Local Charities
In a skillet over medium heat, sauté bacon until lightly crisped.
Remove from pan, drain and reserve 1 tablespoon bacon grease.
Remove most of the fat from the bacon and mince finely.
Cream butter with a fork. Add lime zest, bacon, reserved bacon
grease, and chili peppers to the butter and stir until well-incorporated.
Mound butter mixture in the middle of a large sheet of parchment
paper. Using parchment, roll the butter into a log shape and twist the
ends to seal. Refrigerate overnight.
Serve with grilled corn, put a pat onto freshly grilled steaks,
chicken, pork, or fish or melt in a saucepan over medium heat and
use it to sauté shrimp.
Sponsored by:
City Magazine, WSLS Channel 10,
Grand Home Furnishings, Q99, Budweiser,
South Roanoke Circle, Tanglewood Mall
firstfridaysroanoke.com
Stop by Tinnell’s and
ask about our rapidly
growing Wine of the
Month Club! For
that matter ask your
neighbor - they are
probably already a
member!
Wine and Cheese tasting
every Friday 4-7 p.m.
11
2205 Crystal Spring Ave
(540) 345-7334
ShopTinnells.com
Shouldn’t you choose your rehab as carefully
as you chose your surgeon?
&DOOXVIRUDWRXUDQGWRGLVFXVVDSODQRIFDUH
WRÀW\RXULQGLYLGXDOQHHGV
®
Raleigh Court Health & Rehabilitation Center
*UDQGLQ5RDG6:‡5RDQRNH9$‡‡ZZZOLIHZRUNVUHKDEFRP
Stay In Your Home
For Years To Come...
Interior/Exterior Renovations
%DWKV‡.LWFKHQV‡/LIWV‡5DPSV
Call today for a FREE in-home consultation
and written estimate. No job is too small.
ADA Specialties serves Central and
Southwestern Virginia
Renovating For Life’s Changes
2944 Orange Avenue, NE
Roanoke, VA 24012
ADA Specialties is all
about keeping seniors
and the disabled safe,
and accessible in their
own homes. We provide
renovations to homes
using superior products
and services.