Summer 2011: Like Sisters

 Have you ever really wanted to initiate a conversation with a friend, but you’re so worried that it has the potential to be a disastrous mess that you keep avoiding it? When you walk your dog, do you practice what you’re going to say, but then you don’t say it? I’m here to help. Below, […]

Summer 2011: The Sex Files

 We’ve come a long way since the pill was introduced in the 1950s. Today, there are many birth control options available—some of them over the counter (OTC), others prescribed by a medical practitioner (MP). Ask your health provider about which method might be best for you. BARRIER METHODS Barriers block the sperm from reaching the […]

Dzian!'s last show will be "The Love Boat"-themed

When saying the name of the band Dzian!, smile and click your thumbs in the air. Dzian! Go ahead, do it—it feels good. Dzian!! Now savor it. It may be your last chance to do so while the band has a show on the local music calendar (at The Bridge, May 21), creating a void […]

Don't fear the 'fu

Tofu me once Hugely versatile, tofu adds texture to soup or dip, stir fry or po-boy. With 11 grams of protein per 100-calorie serving, it’s a vegetarian standard-bearer. Not to mention a tasty addition to any foodie’s repertoire.—Jenée Libby BBQ Exchange’s “Fu-Q” Chef Craig Hartman’s ‘cue masterpiece swims in spicy jerk marinade for seven days, […]

Small Bites

Rich history Ready folks? This story might get hectic. Back in 1971, Margarita and Nick Vlavianos opened Expresso International Restaurant on West Main. They followed that up with The Italian Villa, which they sold in 2004 to new owners, who renamed it The Villa five years later. Meanwhile, Margarita and Nick came out of retirement […]

If you build it, they will come

  The carefree days of summer are finally within reach and unless you still get summers off, you’ll be living for the weekends when you can entertain in flip-flops and without having to clean your house. Building a basic bar from scratch is a bit of an investment, but just think how much you’re saving […]

When family memories are folk art

Home movies have long been the stuff of baby’s first steps, the kid’s piano recital, and trips to Disneyland. But for academics, all the other stuff captured by amateur filmmakers—where the baby’s walking, who’s sitting where at the recital, and who’s in costume at Disneyland—is emerging as a valuable part of the historical record. And […]

Berry delicious

The strawberry, in all her ripe and rosy glory, could quite easily rest on the laurels of her looks alone, but this pretty little berry has a heavenly smell, a delectable flavor and oodles of antioxidants and Vitamin C to boot. Nothing beats a fresh-picked strawberry still warm from the late spring sun, but several […]

Small Bites

Fresh idea Far too often, the fruits and veggies you see on the shelves of a chain supermarket are shipped in from miles beyond what’s reasonably considered “local.” But, Mark Seale (with partner Jim Epstein) is hoping to change that. Together, they’ve founded Culpeper-based Blue Ridge Produce Company, a wholesaling operation on a 450-acre farm […]

Surfing to shipping to sniffing

With House Resolution 1161 (which would place a ban on shipments from out-of-state retailers) rearing its buzz-killing head again, now is the time to buy wine online while it’s still just a double click away.