In 2004, Dan Hodges started a collection full of secrets. At the time, his collection of one was comprised of a single table box, white enamel with silver details. It sat unassumingly on a table in his South Roanoke living room. While it was a piece you might admire, it was also easy to miss. And yet, like Pandora’s box of mysterious promise, this box held the secrets and intrigue that are a hallmark of all things Fabergé. For most, Fabergé conjures images of beautifully crafted, enameled eggs. And yet the eggs that were born of the Russian House of Fabergé are but 40-50 of the thousands of pieces manufactured from 1842 until The Russian Revolution caused Fabergé to close his doors in 1918. The Hodges Fabergé collection—on display for several years at the New Orleans Museum of Art and until last month at the Frick in Pittsburgh—includes nary an egg. Dan describes his trove of over a hundred finds as largely utilitarian, so it’s no surprise that an elegant silver Fabergé cigarette case masquerades as his wallet. Complete with a hidden compartment just right to stash a few British pounds for his frequent trips to London, this kind of piece is a staple of his collection. Dan has found that when people look at the case, they typically miss the hidden compartment, a testimony to the seamless design of the channeled case—and what Circle photographer Mary Anne Marx calls “the mysteries secreted away in every piece.” In the world of Fabergé, those secrets are both the point and the rush. Unless you know what to look for, there’s more to miss than meets the eye. That more includes everything from the intricately carved flowers on a crystal umbrella handle to the painstaking work of an absolutely flawless goldsmith. Better yet are the journeys and stories each piece holds, as long-secreted histories were given voice with the 1998 opening of the Imperial Cabinet Archives of Czar Nicolas II and his court, documenting countless Fabergé works gifted to European royalty and heads of state. Thanks to these meticulously preserved archives, the tiny scratched five-digit inventory numbers on each piece—barely visible to the naked eye—are traced to ledgers that include the date of each piece, its primary artisan, its original purchaser and purchase

price. Through the detective work of each inventory number, any given object may now reveal its early history, say, originally a gift from one royal to another—as was common of these exquisitely crafted pieces. While thousands of fakes are currently in circulation, these minute inventory numbers allow for nearly instant verification of authenticity. That archive and, as Dan suggests, “handling lots

of pieces,” educates the eye to the real thing. As Dan explains, “There are many layers in any one piece”--both in terms of the artistry and the journey—as quite a few of these objects crossed both country boundaries and royal family lines. For Dan, a joy of Fabergé is in the discovery: “There aren’t many large groups of art that were lost to history for more than a century that have now been rediscovered in such precise detail as can be gleaned from the archives kept by Fabergé. The past decade with the Russian Republic’s opening of the Imperial Archives has clearly added a whole new dimension for collectors.” What Fabergé did—and this was wildly revolutionary—was to hone the craftsmanship of each piece with

a level of detail previously unimagined. The pieces were valued not based on the price of the raw materials and gemstones, but rather on the thousands of hours of intense handiwork at the heart of every vibrantly enameled millimeter and etched leaf. Luckily, this approach to using precious materials was also the saving grace of the collection. When, during the Bolshevik Revolution, many other pieces of Russian jewelry and the like were melted down for their monetary value, these pieces survived, built as they were on very little precious metal. And so in their creation was their ultimate survival. So now here’s the biggest secret of all: while it’s a whopping 4,649 miles from St. Petersburg to Roanoke, this collection of overlapping stories and fit-in-your palm mysteries is yours for the viewing starting May 4th. Bring your curious eye—and perhaps a magnifying glass—to this amazing exhibit, collected a mere 2.3 miles from the Taubman Museum gallery where it will be displayed for all to discover through January 19, 2013. Following the exhibit, the Hodges collection will be on indefinite loan to museums.

Secrets & Intrigue at the Taubman: The Hodges Fabergé Collection

may 2012

centeredon

community.family.you.

by Jill Hufnagel

This Coiling Serpent Paperweight, crafted of Persian turquoise and sterling silver between 1899 and 1908, showcases the attention to detail the House of Fabergé put into making objects d’art. From the Collection of Daniel Lee Hodges, M.D.

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Lillian King Meidlingereditor, right brainlillian@southroanokecircle.com761.0728

Lisa Boschen Bowersadvertising executive, left brainlisa@southroanokecircle.com353.2380

Mary Anne Marxphotographer, creative consultantmaryanne@southroanokecircle.com345.6279

Amy Takacs, Creative Outletgraphic designeramy@creative-outlet.com

Johnny Meidlingerinternet kung fu

Jill Hufnagel & Brent Stevensfounders, creative consultants

The South Roanoke Circle2517 S. Jefferson StreetRoanoke VA 24014540.353.2380

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 encour-age 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.

copyright 2012The South Roanoke Circle, LLC

all rights reserved.

She Said... I spent this weekend in Sex Ed. Well, not I so much as we: my husband, my 11-year-old daughter, and I. I’m going to fess up right here: this was my doing. At one point in this day-and-a-half workshop, the adults in the room were asked a question about what’s hardest as a parent. And my own response was immediate, “I just don’t remember a whole lot of being this age.” I don’t. And that’s too bad; I’m sure I could be more empathic. At least sometimes? So it was while tucking in my son earlier this evening that it dawned on me just how different life must look from my kid’s pillow. What brought this to mind was glimpsing the spine of the book that was in his line of vision while nodding off to sleep: Daredevil—as in the comic collection my husband gave him several months back with a joy that was sweetly nostalgic, if not also somewhat disturbing. So, as he dozes off at night, what? He’s planning his tricks for tomorrow? No wonder he’s so good...and can you imagine awakening to that as well—the initially fuzzy letters quickly sharpening to reveal their fiendish temptation when you’ve not yet run to the toilet? That feels like a different perspective altogether from my own—one that involves a complex set of calculations on either side of a decent night’s sleep. At night is a last-minute internal monologue about what time to set the alarm based on whether or not I’m motivated enough to get up early to work out. Too often, I’m not. And as for my own a.m. trick planning? Far less exciting: if I skip shaving my legs, do I have enough time to shower before making lunches? Yes, I know. Another calculation. Meanwhile for my son: which pair of oddly colored gym shorts am I going to pair with an off-puttingly similar colored t-shirt? That’s a very different challenge. That beckoning bedside read got me thinking: what does life look like from my kids’ other perches? My daughter’s hideout? The window beside the Lego table? Our next-door neighbor’s poor, trampled side yard? Things I learned: there is a bonafide graveyard of stink bugs in that metal frame between the screen and the window in my son’s room (he was right!). The best cereal is always on a too-high shelf in the pantry. From the third row bench of the van, you can’t hear squat going on in the front seat (phew!). The new tree swing across the street makes you feel a whole lot like a superhero, as you sail in a thrill-inducing arc out over the street (and it’s for sure an accident waiting to happen). From the acuba-covered hideout in the corner of our front yard, most passers-by have no idea you’re even there. Plus, it’s a good six degrees cooler in that shady haven. The backsplash behind the range is some kind of filthy. And the chandelier? Uggh. Henry’s seat really IS the best. “It’s not fair. I didn’t do anything. S/he did it. It was his/her/hims fault.” All of it: spot on! Between Sex Ed—where I played anatomical Pictionary—and spending a couple of rounds last weekend kneeling on the bathroom floor beside my son while he repeatedly barfed (and intermittently screamed “Why me?!”), I’ve learned a lot through this experiment. All hear this: life from down there is radically different. And here’s how it looks: loud, funny, spontaneous, impulsive, painful, frustrating, random, real. A lot like my own life, I guess—just from a lower rung. — JH

Blue Ridge Marathon winner Karsten Brown of Front Royal, VA took the lead while running through South Roanoke at mile 18.5 and went on to win with a finish time of 3:01:36. Photo by Mary Anne Marx

How to Get Ahead in SoRo!

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Since just before we became a couple, my wife has been 98% vegetarian. Not vegan, which disallows any and all animal products including dairy and eggs, but vegetarian. Forgoing cheese is out of the question, and it’s hard to make Spaghetti Carbonara without a half-dozen eggs. I say 98% vegetarian, because she will occasionally eat shrimp, and I have seen her, once or twice when she lets her guard down on vacation, dip a fork in whatever seafood dish I may be savoring. Overall, though, for the last twenty years, her motto has been, “nothing with a face”. I haven’t been able to tempt her with one of my fabulous grilled cheeseburgers, even though they are our son’s favorite meal. Her motivation was not health related, but rooted in her love of animals and a belief that factory farming equates to animal cruelty. I’m not here to debate that point. I find it admirable that she has stuck to her convictions. There are lots of things that should make us squirm about the quality of life of a factory raised chicken, but what I have to focus on to get past that is the last step...when it no longer resembles a chicken, gets dipped in batter, and fried up crisp and tasty. As for red meat, there is no doubt something disturbing about veal-fattening pens, but you could argue that if not for farm-raised cattle the coyotes would have eliminated that species. Oh wait, humans almost rubbed out the buffalo, not the coyotes. I don’t know. Like I said, I’m not here to debate it. You have to abide the killin’ if you want to enjoy the grillin’. Now, there are ways to remain an omnivore and still reduce your support of factory farming. The obvious first step would be to avoid fast food restaurants. I think I could observe that practice myself, although any long road trip makes it difficult. But the reality is, when it’s 2:00 p.m. on a Saturday and your child has been playing lacrosse for three hours, his plea for a Double Stacker is hard to ignore. Shame on us, I know, but convenience often trumps conviction. Second thing you can do, which we have definitely put into practice, is to make conscious decisions in the grocery store. Yes, I wince at paying an extra $1.50 for “Cage Free Nest Eggs” but a comfortable hen lays a real tasty egg. We get local ground beef from the Homestead Creamery. We buy organic meat when possible. In general, just by default, my son and I probably eat less meat than most. Honestly, the toughest thing to deal with regarding my wife’s dietary convictions is not the diet itself, but the fact that she is not

shy about reminding people at a cookout about the “dead you are getting ready to skew up.” Most of us are used to hearing it, so we nod with faux sympathy and then enjoy that mouthwatering sizzle. But if we are with more casual acquaintances, it always leads to the

same conversation: vegetarian vs. vegan, and the usual questions: “You mean you don’t eat any chicken or fish? Don’t you miss it?” Anytime you get into a conversation about vegetarianism, someone always chimes in, “Oh, yeah. I really could be a vegetarian. No problem!” Could you really? I bet the failure rate on that is much worse than smokers who just quit. It would make an interesting study, but it would never get

off the ground because the just-previously confident carnivore follows up by telling you the one meaty thing they couldn’t live without—nearly always bacon. I know for sure I would never give up seafood so I don’t even pretend I could be vegetarian. I rarely eat veal, primarily to avoid getting the snake eye from my wife, and I have no taste for foie gras, so I maintain a high moral ground when it comes to geese. Otherwise, all bets are off. The real problem with a vegetarian diet is that is eliminates some things entirely. For example, here’s a recipe for a delicious Spicy Vegetarian Grilled Steak: Ingredients: 3 garlic cloves

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt1 1/2 teaspoons paprika1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander1 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil2 1/4 pounds skirt steak (2 steaks), halved xwise

Directions: Mince garlic and mash to a paste with kosher salt. Stir together spices in a bowl, stir in garlic and oil. Pat steaks dry, then rub all over with paste. Refrigerate in sealed plastic bag for two hours. Bring steak to room temperature, about 30 minutes; meanwhile, fire up the coals. When charcoal is ready, grill steak on oiled rack, turning once, about 6 minutes total. Cut steak into small pieces and feed to the cats. Make yourself a jelly sandwich. David’s favorite time of year approaches, with blazing hot temperatures, lazy summer days, and yes, many late evening cookouts. Bacon cheeseburger, anyone?

Jefferson Street Realistby David S. Bowers

Neighborhood Events for May

May 1-30: The Market Gallery hosts exhibitions by Jamie Nervo & Bill White, opening reception May 4 (downtown)

May 4: Opening of the Hodges Family FabergéCollection Exhibition (Taubman Museum)

May 5, 10:00AM - 2:00PM: Fun Day at Crystal Spring Elementary School

May 13: Mother’s Day

May 19, 11:00AM - 5:00PM: Local Colors Festival (Elmwood Park)

May 25 - May 28: Festival in the Park (Elmwood Park)

May 27, 11:00AM - 5:00PM: Roanoke Open Streets Festival (downtown)

May 29: Memorial Day, holiday for Roanoke City Schools

end of May: The River and Rail opens

May is the City of Roanoke’sNeighborhood Month!

Why not plan a block party in celebration? For tips on hosting a neighborhood event in

conjunction with the City’s celebration,contact The Office of Neighborhood

Services at 853-5210 or do anInternet search using the terms

“Roanoke Neighborhood Month”to find the City’s link to this event.

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When it comes to your good health, knowing exactly what yourmedications are supposed to do—and not do—is very important.And one of the best ways of staying informed is by getting to knowyour local pharmacist.When you visit the Carilion Clinic Pharmacy at Crystal Spring, you’llfind we’re not just a place to fill prescriptions. Our team is here tohelp encourage and support you in staying as healthy as possible.And we’re right here in your backyard.

PHARMACY

What’s Key in Staying Healthy?Knowing your medications and… your pharmacists

Over 60 years ofcombined expertiseis at your CrystalSpring pharmacy:Pharmacists KathyTrapuzzano, JamesBlack, and TammyDegraff.

Inspiring better health.™

Carilion Clinic Pharmacy2001 Crystal Spring Ave., Suite 110Phone: 540-853-0905

MAY IS BIKE MONTH! Visit CarilionPharmacy.com to learnhow you could win a free bike.

Hours:Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Saturday, 9 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Kathy SuraceImage Consultant ~ Miche Bag Rep

theperfectpurse.miche.com540.819.1843

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When Molly Burns and I took over running Roanoke’s girls’ lacrosse league from founder Mark Lucas this year, I admit to being very nervous. Mark has a way of getting things done without breaking a sweat, but I knew there would be a lot of work involved in taking on a league that he has been running single-

handedly since 2004. However, by looking at our strong teams and seeing the enthusiasm of both players and coaches, it is clear we are in good shape. Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in America; that fact is reflected in the vast number of girls in our neighborhood who are picking up sticks and learning how to cradle, pass, and catch. The Roanoke Valley Ladies’ Lacrosse Association (RVLLA) has three teams for girls in grades 1-6: an Academy for girls in grades 1 and 2, an elementary team, and a middle school team. This year has boasted some of the league’s biggest rosters, with five returning coaches and a great number of parents helping us run the show by lining fields, assisting at practices, planning our banquet, and even transporting goals in the rain. Our greatest obstacle has been finding field space. The City of Roanoke simply lacks adequate rectangular playing fields for our youth teams. We are currently practicing on fields at Patrick Henry High School since the previously used city-managed fields on Reserve Avenue were not available. Since RVLLA is the feeder program for Patrick Henry’s female lacrosse teams, this works out fine for our girls but it left us in the unfortunate position of having to turn away potential players. We had the numbers to expand our program to five teams, but not the field space. For a city our size, we should have three times the number of grass fields that we currently have. According to Mark Lucas, “to maintain field integrity, a playing field should host no more than 55-60 events per year. Our fields are used for over 150 events per year now. Ideally we should install turf/all weather fields to support our athletic programs.” In order to continue to grow this sport, we need more fields. Despite this challenge, our teams are moving through their seasons with great success. For the young girls on the Academy team, learning the basic skills while having fun is the main objective. Clara and Alice Sherman, 2nd graders at Crystal Spring Elementary School, confirm this is happening. “I love learning all the new skills like cradling,” says Alice. Clara reports that she likes playing with all her friends and having a chance to play in games where “you get excited and nervous at the same time.” Both girls enjoy having their father, Andrew Sherman, as a coach: “It’s awesome!” they exclaim in unison. Our elementary team, comprised of 26 girls, stresses skill development and playing time. Coaches CP Staley and Fourd Kemper work all the girls into rotation during games. According to Megan McGinnis, a 3rd grader at Highland Park Elementary School, “Our coaches let us try all the positions and give us a fair amount of playing time. It’s really fun having experienced players on the team this year.” For Megan, the best part of the season has been watching all the scoring going on in the games, regardless of the game’s outcome. “It’s so much fun getting that last goal!” she says. Middle school coach Rob Ericsson is working on building his players’ skills and confidence so they will be successful in their junior varsity and high school programs. His team is currently undefeated. All of RVLLA’s coaches have lacrosse backgrounds at the high school and/or college level, with two having completed the coaching certification program of US Lacrosse (the national governing body of lacrosse). Several of them play for a summer league on a team dubbed “Old School” where they enjoy some competitive lacrosse despite pulling 40-something muscles and suffering sports injuries. All the coaches have daughters playing for RVLLA, except for CP

whose four-year-old will be joining as soon as she is old enough. Former Academy coach Molly Burns expects her daughter, Selden (a rising 1st grader at North Cross), to be on the fields next year. These parents volunteer their time because they enjoy working with the girls and sharing their love of the sport. Fourd Kemper says, “The fun thing about girls’ lacrosse is the positive enthusiasm of the girls and watching some girls ‘catch fire’ as they gain confidence.” Academy coach Troy Jamison says that it is the “smiles of the Academy girls that keep me coming back.” Rob Ericsson adds, “I really like seeing the girls progress as lacrosse players and, more importantly, as people. I started with many of these girls as 2nd or 3rd graders and now they are almost in high school. It’s great to see them display their increasing leadership, tenacity, and skill. It’s even better to see them smile!” For me, ensuring that our league continues to offer these opportunities for our girls is important; I firmly believe in the value of team sports. Historically, girls have not always had a great variety of athletic options. Growing up, I heard from my mother on many occasions tell about how she never had a chance to play sports as a young girl in the early 1950’s. It wasn’t until she convinced her parents to send her to a private school that she joined her first team. Once there, she played three varsity sports for all four years of high school, lacrosse being one of them. A year before she died of cancer in 2010, she was inducted into the Friends School of Baltimore’s Athletic Hall of Fame. My daughter, Sophie, was in attendance at the ceremony, holding her lacrosse stick. On Mother’s Day, I will think about my mother and know she would be cheering on our little laxers if she were still here. These girls are my connection to her spirit, and one of the many reasons why I am glad to be a part of RVLLA. To see a picture of some of RVLLA’s finest, turn to page 9.

Jocks On Your BlockAn Inside Look at Girls’ Lacrosseby Kate Ericsson

Music, Drinks, Friends & Fun - Party with a Purpose

2nd YEAR AT FABULOUSFRANKLIN ROAD LOCATION

Outdoor concerts are held at the Suntrust Plaza Downtown on

Franklin Road between Jefferson St. & Williamson Rd. Must be 21.

Benefitting Local CharitiesSponsored by:

Vertex, City Magazine, WSLS Channel 10,Grand Home Furnishings, Q99, Budweiser,

South Roanoke Circle, Tanglewood Mall

5/4 — Super Hold 5/18 — Departure

6/1 — Worx6/15 — Southern Culture on the Skids

Great Location! Great Bands!

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During what was an absolutely wonderful exchange with the owners, chef, and sous chef of South Roanoke’s new restaurant, The River and Rail, chef Aaron Deal summed up their collective vision, “to be a memorable dining experience by paying attention to four qualities: food, service, value, and atmosphere.” Their enthusiasm and focus on the Virginia southern bistro sensory experience are infectious. I firmly believe that as they hold true to their vision, The River and Rail will become a neighborhood institution, thus following in the footsteps of its locale’s previous occupants, Lipes Pharmacy. Open, airy, comfortable, hospitable, flexible, inviting, classy without pretense–The River and Rail will be a place to take your wife on a date, to meet for a drink, to pop in after a bike ride or run, to

sit outside with your dog (yes, your dog!), and a place where your kids will get a great and healthy meal. There will be no TVs and music will enhance the experience without taking anything away from your plate or conversations. Added to the mix will be a kitchen and chef close enough for conversation and present enough to allow you to interact with him and see what’s being prepared and how. All of these images will come alive when The River and Rail opens in late May. Owners Lee and Karri Atwood and Lauren and Whit Ellerman are excited about the restaurant’s opening and honor the community’s response and help. Already folks are peeking in the windows, anxious to have the doors opened. Neighbors have shared many stories with them about the building’s history; they are aware of the heritage of their space and its ties to our community, including one story about a nine-year-old who bombed the toilet in the old Lipes bathroom (you know who you are!). The Atwoods and Ellermans are as anxious to hear and record the histories you might have to share with them as they are to add their own memories to the list. Just as their restaurant will serve locally grown and prepared foods, the owners have sought out and relied on local hands to help them build their dream. They are grateful to have had the assistance of local businesses such as E.J. Miller Construction, Balzer & Associates (architecture and engineering), Doherty Interior Design, Designed Concrete Surfaces for their bar and countertops, and Appalachia Press who did their logo and graphic design. What’s on the dining and drink menus? Wow, it all sounded so good and there is so much to share, so let me sum up what I can without taking five pages to do it. On your plate and even in your glasses will be the fresh, seasonal, high-quality, creative, and pleasing-to-the-eye-as-it-is-to-the-palate products of local farmers, distillers, brewers, and cheese-makers. Dishes will be flexibly and freshly prepared to please carnivores and herbivores, vegans and children. The menu will change daily and/or weekly, as new seasons bring new produce and as chef Aaron and sous chef Sarah Mankie’s creativity reflects the bounty of our region. Look forward to tasting local beers, sipping local wines, and savoring traditional, tasty southern and freshly-created cocktails at the full bar. And save room for dessert, including homemade ice cream! Though it’s not a large restaurant, you’ll be able to experience everything from seats al fresco, a table at the front window, soft chairs and couches, high-top tables, a place at the bar, and even from a community table with access to the chef! Initially, The River and Rail will serve dinner starting at 5 p.m. and closing at 11 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday). The restaurant will accommodate about 80 people, including eight outdoor seats. The community, or chef’s, table will seat 10 and can be reserved. After getting their feet wet, the owners plan on expanding to lunch and Sunday brunch offerings. What a wonderful addition to our local dining choices as The River and Rail carves out its own special niche. Good luck and best wishes to The River and Rail, and welcome to

our neighborhood. Last, what would a Cook’s Nook article be without a recipe? Chef Aaron shares these with you:

Cauliflower Bisque (served at 2012’s Souper Bowl!)serves 6 ingredients:

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil2 cups diced yellow onions1 T. sliced garlic1/4 cup raw Basmati rice 1 bay leaf2 pounds cauliflower florets, removed from head1 quart whole milk 2 tsp. kosher salt1/8 tsp. white pepper curry vinaigrette (see below for recipe)several sprigs of micro cilantro or fresh cilantro leaves

Place a large heavy-bottomed saucepan on medium heat. Add the olive oil and diced onion. Sweat the onion until translucent. Add the garlic slices, rice, and bay leaves and continue to cook for an additional minute. Stir in the cauliflower florets and continue to cook for an additional minute. Slowly add the milk to pan. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and cover the pan. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the cauliflower is tender and the rice is cooked through. Once the soup is cooked, remove the pan from the heat. Working in batches, puree the hot ingredients in a blender until silky smooth. Return the soup to the saucepan or place in a serving container if using

and add the salt and pepper. Garnish the soup with the curry vinaigrette and the cilantro. Serve immediately.

tips:- The rice is used as a thickener in this soup. I love using rice as a thickener because of the subtle flavor and silky consistency the rice starch yields. It is great with carrots, parsnips, and many other vegetables. - The soup gets much of its elegance from the color. Be sure not to brown or burn any part of the soup as it will change the flavor and color. - Use caution when pureeing hot soups.

Toasted Curry Vinaigretteenough to garnish 6 servings of Cauliflower Bisque

curry powder1 star anise pod 1/4 tsp. cardamom seeds2 tsp. coriander seeds3 cloves1/2 tsp. ground cumin1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper1/2 tsp. ground fenugreek1/4 tsp. ground white pepper2 tsp. turmeric

Place all of ingredients in a sauté pan over medium heat. Constantly move pan over the heat, toasting the spices until they begin to have an aroma. Remove from heat and cool. Pulverize the ingredients in a spice or clean coffee grinder. Store in airtight container in a cool dark place for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

curry vinaigrette2 T. curry powder (above recipe) 1/2 cup canola oil 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar 1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Place all ingredients except for oil in a mixing bowl and mix well. Pour in the oil in a slow steady stream while whisking constantly. A natural separation of the vinaigrette will occur over time. To return the vinaigrette to its proper state, simply whisk it.

tip:- At the restaurant we prefer to use a squeeze bottle for distributing the Toasted Curry Vinaigrette onto the soup for a more pleasing presentation.

Cook’sNook

A Memorable

Sneak Peak of

The River and Rail

by David Lake

The River and Rail’s Head Chef, Aaron Deal, will bring new flavor to a familiar site. Photo by Kemper Mills Fant Studio

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Mary Jane Witter, MS, RN, CPNP, grew up in western New York. After graduating from Keuka College with a bachelor of science in nursing, she worked at Radford Community Hospital in pediatrics. She attended the University of Colorado in Denver to become a pediatric nurse practitioner while working

at the University’s Health Sciences Center in pediatric intensive care. She has taught nursing at the Jefferson College of Health Sciences and started a program in Health Services Management. Mary Jane holds a Master of Science degree in public health education from Virginia Tech. Mary Jane and her husband, Kevin, moved to Roanoke in the 1980’s. They have two daughters who share their love of the arts.

Amy Barker, RN, MSN, CPNP, grew up in Richmond, Virginia. She attended Virginia Polytechnic University where she obtained her Bachelors of Science in Biology She obtained her Bachelors of Nursing, Masters Degree and Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner training from Virginia Commonwealth University. For the past

six years, she has served the pediatric community at Carilion Clinic’s Children Hospital.Amy and her husband, David, have lived in Roanoke since 2001. They have a daughter McKinley, a son Jackson, and their great dane, Maggie; all who enjoy being outdoors. Her other interests include interior decorating and sewing.

21 Highland Avenue, Suite 100 540.344.9213

Please Join Us in Welcoming Our New Nurse Practitioners

Physicians to Children is pleased to have Amy Barker & Mary Jane Witter join us in providing the best in family care. Nurse practioners are uniquely focused on caring as well as curing. They are specifically trained to educate and support families; helping them make informed choices about their healthcare. Expert advice; all offered in your pediatric office.

OUR NEW NURSE PRACTITIONERS

U.S. Kids Care Hosts Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Photo

s by M

ary

anne

Marx

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Academy Laxers from left to right: Emma Brown, Georgia Rafferty, Anne Douglas Council, Anna Wade Douthat, Rebecca Collier, Elizabeth Light and Cameron Snyder. Photo courtesy of Kate Ericsson

A Distinctively Christian & Classical K-12 School SAT Scores more than 300 points above National Average

3585 Buck Mountain Road, Roanoke VA 24018 www.faithchristian-school.com

For more information, contact Cathi Weber, Director of Enrollment at 540.769.5200, or by email at cweber@faithchristian-school.com

Must we say goodbye to this fun SoRo landmark? The “Jellybean” sculpture on Crystal Spring is slated to be removed very soon. The city isn’t able to pay the price to keep it permanently - somewhere in the neighborhood of $49,000. Look closely and you’ll see neighborhood artist Eric Fitzpatrick in the background, taking his usual stance in front of the easel. Photo by Mary Anne Marx

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The tale of Snow White is known to almost everyone, particularly the animated Disney version. It is thus unsurprising that Hollywood would make two live-action movies based on it, and though we have a darker take on the story coming in June, currently available is the much kid-friendlier Snow White movie, Mirror Mirror. Directed by Immortals director Tarsem Singh, the movie is filled with the visual attention to detail you would expect from him. The world of Mirror Mirror is bright, colorful, and filled with an extraordinary amount of detail in its costumes and art direction. When it comes to the visuals, the movie never ceases to amaze. What doesn’t impress nearly as much is the story. Though admittedly there are actually some creative twists here-and-there, the plot remains almost identical to the Disney tale but also adds a striking similarity to Robin Hood. The simplistic plot wouldn’t be as much of an issue if the movie didn’t try to shake things up occasionally, but some of the creative twists in the story will make viewers wish they had done more with it. The humor is also strictly for kids. It features lots of slapstick and comical situations that will have kids laughing in their seats, but will only occasionally be able to squeeze a chuckle out of adults. Mirror Mirror is not a bad movie, but it’s not a particularly memorable one either despite its gorgeous production values. The cast gives decent but merely serviceable performances, the story doesn’t have much depth or originality, and the only major audience the movie will find is kids. Thankfully the movie does have its share of good moments and a lighthearted attitude that’s hard to draw hate against for appealing to children. Mirror Mirror is an adequate kids’ movie that parents won’t mind watching alongside them – just don’t expect it to be an instant classic like the animated Disney version. Seth is a Senior at Hidden Valley High School who hosts his own blog and writes for his school newspaper as well as other publications. For more movie reviews, check out Seth’s blog at http://reel-deal.tumblr.com/.

Reel Deal Movie Review:Mirror Mirrorby Seth Childers

Not Yer Mama’s Page

What do you do to show your momthat she rocks?!?

“I tell her all time” (Bailey, age 14)“I help her out” (Annalee, age 13)“I make her sandwiches” (Noah aka Snow, age 14) “I do my chores” (Austin, age 12) “I make her cookies” (Jack, age 7) “I give her hugs” (Will, age 5) “I make her earrings” (Evelyn, age 13)

In honor of Mother’s Day, our roving reporter, Bradley Smith (age 13 and a middle schooler at James Madison), asked kids in the neighborhood

the following question:

on the spot!Bradley

Seeking submissions of couplets, limericks,or even haiku...

The South Roanoke Circle hassome space for you!

Immerse us in verse!

Send your lines to lillian@southroanokecircle.com or message us via Facebook at

facebook.com/southroanokecircle

Calling All Young Poets!

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Dog Friendly Yard Care

A Recycle boxes into homes for all those furry pals your kids love to cuddle; cut in windows and decorate wildly!

A Recycle egg cartons into paint palettes. A Recycle coffee cans and oatmeal drums into musical

instruments. (And then stuff your ears with playdough!) A Crush up those beautiful eggs you blew out and decorated

for Easter and give them new life as the featured medium in various mosaics.

A Bring your own take-out containers and avoid the bane

of styrofoam. A Make a green plan, in which each member of the

household pledges to make one green change this month. For example: cut my 10-minute shower to 5, trade my plastic water bottles for a reusable one that I’ll refill, half our paper towel usage with a stack of super-absorbent cloths, hang out at least one load of laundry a week to air dry, walk when I might otherwise drive, etc.

A Crown a green queen or king each month, perhaps the winner of a family contest in which the high score goes to the low user (of water, dishes, laundry soap, etc.), to encourage your domestic gaggle to reduce/reuse/recycle & celebrate him/her with a recycled sculpture that you craft collectively.

Spring Into Green Mode with these May Day ideas for Reducing, Reusing, Recycling!

May 7: Bottles & Cans/Bulk

May 14: Paper Products/Brush

May 21: Bottles & Cans/Bulk

May 28: Paper Products/Brush

Waste Collection Schedule

City of Roanoke

Diane Flynt, Owner of Foggy Ridge Cider, pours a sample of some of her award-winning hard cider for Adam Markham. Diane shared her products and knowledge of heirloom apple varieties at a tasting event at Tinnell’s in late March. Photo by Mary Anne Marx