PDF - American Lifestyle Magazine
Transcription
PDF - American Lifestyle Magazine
AMERICAN LIFESTYLE THE MAGAZINE CELEBRATING LIFE IN AMERICA Travel: Baltimore - pg. 24 | Charm City Cakes - pg. 14 | Unexpected Places to Stay the Night - pg. 38 | Designer: Kara Mann - pg. 18 678 12345 67890 678 American Lifestyle IN THIS ISSUE magazine p.14 p.6 HAVE YOUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO LIVING OFF THE LAND IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST Good Morning BALTIMORE p.24 A LITTLE BALTIMORE FOR EVERYONE p.18 MODERN SENSIBILITY AND RUGGED SOPHISTICATION p.32 JOY OF JELLY BELLY JELLY BEANS p.38 UNEXPECTED PLACES TO STAY THE NIGHT p.46 LIGHTS, MUSIC, BHANGRA! 2 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 3 B [F]OOD B E T Z FA M I LY W I N E RY living off THE LAND IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST Recipes and excerpts from Pacific Northwest Wining & Dining by Braiden Rex-Johnson with photography by Jackie Johnston (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2007) pizza r ustica with tomato, g o a t cheese, and black olive s Makes four ten-inch pizzas i n g re d i e n t s : Tomato Sauce 3 tablespoons olive oil 1½ tablespoons chopped garlic One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, or 1 tablespoon dried basil, crumbled 1 tablespoon dried oregano, crumbled Dash of kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning Freshly ground black pepper 4 teaspoons chopped garlic 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling Crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 1 to 1½ cups (4 to 6 ounces) soft, fresh goat’s-milk cheese, such as chèvre 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced ¼ cup good-quality oil-cured black olives, pitted (Note: Be sure to use oil-cured, as opposed to brine-cured, olives, or they will dry out and wrinkle in the hot oven.) 4 teaspoons dried oregano, crumbled Freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (optional) One Pizza Dough (recipe follows) cooking instructions: 1. To make the tomato sauce, heat the olive oil in a medium deep saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until the garlic turns golden brown, one to two minutes; do not allow the garlic to burn. Add the tomatoes, stir well, and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat and simmer very slowly (with barely an occasional bubble), stirring occasionally, for one hour. Add the basil, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste and stir well. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reduces and darkens slightly, but remains fairly chunky, with a bit of liquid, about one hour more. 2. Remove from the heat and cool slightly, then transfer to a food processor or blender and pulse until still slightly chunky (not entirely puréed). An immersion blender also works well for this job. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Meanwhile, preheat a wood-burning oven to 550° to 650°F, or a conventional oven to 450° to 500°F. 3. To make the pizza, in a small bowl, stir together the garlic and olive oil and reserve. Ten minutes before cooking, take one round of pizza dough and gently stretch it into a circle by holding the top edge of the dough and letting it droop under its own weight to form a circle, quickly working around the circumference of the dough with your fingers. 4. Lay the dough on a well-floured flat surface and spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce to within ¼ inch of the edge. Evenly distribute one teaspoon of the reserved garlic-and-oil mixture over the tomato sauce. If desired, sprinkle with red pepper flakes to taste. Divide the goat cheese into quarters. Divide one of the quarters into smaller pieces and evenly distribute over the tomato sauce. Evenly distribute one-quarter of the onion slices and one-quarter of the olives over the pizza. Sprinkle evenly with one teaspoon of the oregano and pepper to taste. If desired, sprinkle with 1½ teaspoons Parmigiano-Reggiano. Drizzle with olive oil. Repeat this procedure with the three remaining rounds of dough. 5. If baking in a wood-burning oven, using a pizza peel, transfer the pizzas to the deck of the oven. Cook for two to four minutes, or until the toppings are slightly browned and bubbly and the bottoms are lightly browned. If baking in a conventional oven, transfer the pizzas onto lightly oiled baking sheets and cook for ten to fourteen minutes, or until the toppings are slightly browned and bubbly and the bottoms are lightly browned. Remove the pizzas from the oven and serve whole (one per person), or allow to cool two minutes before cutting into slices. 6 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 7 B [F]OOD BETZ FA M I LY W I N E RY p i z z a d o u g h for pizza r ustica Makes four ten-inch pizzas ingredients: 3¾ cups all-purpose flour ½ cup semolina flour 1 teaspoon active dry yeast 1½ teaspoons kosher salt ½ teaspoon sugar 1½ cups cold water 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil co o k i n g i n s t r u c t i o n s : 1. Place 2½ cups of the all-purpose flour, the semolina flour, and the yeast in a large mixer bowl with the dough hooks attached. 2. In a small bowl, dissolve the salt and sugar in the water. Add this mixture, along with the oil, to the mixing bowl. Combine on medium speed until well mixed, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. 3. Add the remaining 1¼ cups of the flour a few tablespoons at a time, until the dough comes together and forms a ball. (Note: It may not be necessary to use all the remaining flour.) Continue kneading until the dough becomes smooth and silky, five to seven minutes. 4. Transfer the dough to a well-floured work surface and knead by hand a little longer, adding flour as necessary, until it forms a smooth texture and is easy to manage; it should feel neither too wet nor too dry. 5. Form the dough into a circle and divide into quarters. Form the quarters into balls and pat down slightly. Arrange without overlapping on a well-floured baking sheet, flour the dough balls well, and cover with plastic wrap so the dough is completely covered (so that the edges do not dry out) but not tightly wrapped (so the dough has room to expand). Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for at least eighteen hours and up to three days. 6. One hour before cooking, remove the dough from the refrigerator. Keep it in its wrapping, but allow to come to room temperature before proceeding. 8 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 9 Y [F]OOD YA R R OW BAY G R I L L A N D B E AC H CA F E baked oyster s with orange-t hy m e beurre blanc and citr us z e s t Ser ves 8 • Makes 32 appetizers i n g re d i e n t s : Rock salt 32 large (3- to 4-inch) oysters, such as Imperial Miyagi, Penn Cove, or Pacific, with shells scrubbed and patted dry 2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice 3 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest 3 teaspoons freshly grated lime zest 3 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest All-purpose flour 2 cups vegetable oil 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1-tablespoon pieces ½ teaspoon minced fresh thyme, or ¼ teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled Kosher salt Freshly ground white pepper 2 cups loosely packed arugula leaves, rinsed, spun dry, and coarsely chopped cooking instructions: 1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with rock salt. Shuck the oysters, reserving as much of the liquid as possible, discarding the top oyster shells. Arrange the shucked oysters cup side down (oyster side up) without crowding over the rock salt. 2. Place the orange juice in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally to be sure it doesn’t boil over during the beginning minutes, until it reaches the consistency of maple syrup and about ¾ cup remains, twenty to twenty-five minutes. 3. While the orange juice is reducing, toss the lemon, lime, and orange zests in a small amount of flour. Place in a fine-meshed sieve and shake off any excess flour. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. When the oil begins to bubble around the edges, add the floured zest. Cook until crisp and lightly browned, thirty seconds to one minute. Drain on paper towels and reserve. 4. After the orange juice has reduced, remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the butter piece by piece, incorporating well after each addition. Whisk in the thyme and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm. 5. Ten minutes before cooking, preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the oysters in the oven and bake for twelve to fifteen minutes, or until they plump and become firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and top with a small amount of the arugula, the sauce, and the fried zest and serve immediately. 10 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 11 O [F]OOD O K A N AG A N G R O C E RY A R T I S A N B R E A DS callebaut chocolate rol l s Makes 36 rolls i n g re d i e n t s : Chocolate Fudge 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 1⅓ cups firmly packed brown sugar 1¾ cups high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa powder 4 cups warm water (105° to 115°F) 1½ tablespoons active dry yeast 9 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa powder 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 4 teaspoons sea salt 7 ounces Callebaut milk chocolate, coarsely chopped 7 ounces Callebaut dark chocolate, coarsely chopped cooking instructions: 1. To make the Chocolate Fudge, melt the butter in a large saucepan on low heat. Combine the brown sugar and cocoa in a bowl and mix well. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the brown sugar and cocoa using a wooden spoon or heatproof rubber spatula. Beat until well mixed. Cover with plastic wrap and reserve. 2. Pour the water into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the yeast until it dissolves. Add about half the flour, plus all the cocoa, sugar, and salt, and stir well. Gradually add the remaining flour and mix until the dough comes together and forms a rough ball. 3. Transfer the dough to a clean, cool work surface and knead for fifteen to twenty minutes, or until the dough is smooth, silky, and pliable, adding more flour as necessary. (If using an electric mixer with the dough hook, knead on low speed for eight to ten minutes.) 4. Lightly oil a large mixing bowl with canola oil or nonstick cooking spray. Form the dough into a ball and transfer to the bowl. Turn once to coat the dough with oil, and cover completely, but loosely, with plastic wrap. Let rise for one to one-and-a-half hours, or until doubled in size. 5. Once doubled in size, deflate the dough by gently punching it in the middle. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rest for ten minutes. (This makes it easier to handle.) Cook’s Hint: The secret to making Callebaut Chocolate Rolls is to use good chocolate. The bakers at Okanagan Grocery Artisan Breads prefer the Callebaut brand, as its flavor and texture are superior to less expensive chocolates. The bakery uses a 50-50 mixture of dark and milk, but for a more intense chocolate flavor, you can use just dark. Valrhona or any other good-quality chocolate can be substituted. 12 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E 6. Lightly oil three muffin tins (or enough tins to hold thirty-six standardsized muffins or twenty-four extra large muffins) with vegetable oil or spray with nonstick cooking spray. On a clean, cool work surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately three-and-a-half to four feet long and about one foot wide. Crumble the reserved Chocolate Fudge evenly over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with the chopped chocolate. 7. Roll the dough up from the long side, jelly-roll style. Pinch to form a tightly sealed seam. Cut into thirty-six equal pieces and arrange, cut side up, in the prepared muffin tins. Allow the rolls to rise for another forty-five minutes to one hour, or until doubled in size. 8. Ten minutes before you are ready to cook, preheat the oven to 375°F. When the oven is hot, bake the rolls for eighteen to twenty minutes; when done, they will sound hollow when tapped lightly with your fingertips and the chocolate will be melted and gooey. Transfer the muffin tins to wire racks and cool for ten minutes. Remove the rolls from the tins and serve warm, or transfer to wire racks and allow to cool completely. AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 13 [S]PECIAL INTEREST AC E O F CA K E S have your CAKE AND EAT IT TOO Article by Robin Manrodt RIDDING THE WORLD OF TRADITIONAL CAKES, ONE CLIENT AT A TIME What happens when power tools and cake batter collide in a whirlwind of creativity and flair? Charm City Cakes is formed—Baltimore’s inspirational spin on decorated desserts. This nontraditional bakery, built on one man’s culinary dream, forever changes the way the world views cakes. Charm City Cakes is a groundbreaking bakery that flips the table on conventional cake decorating. What started in March of 2000 as an at-home side job quickly expanded into a full-blown bakery specializing in remarkable 14 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E feats of cake. Suitable for every occasion, these handcrafted delights are personalized to fit the needs, and most importantly, the imagination of each client. The shape of these always-fresh desserts ranges from multiple tiers to edible replicas of famous landmarks. Charm City Cakes typically creates fifteen to twenty delicious masterpieces a week, with each cake taking anywhere from ten to two hundred hours to complete. Not only are the cakes visually appealing, but with over forty flavors of cake and filling, they are appealing to the taste buds as well. AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 15 D.C., and opened his own business. Charm City Cakes quickly became an outlet for him to apply his talents for creating and decorating cakes. To alleviate the pressure brought on by the fast-paced business, Goldman maintains an upbeat and positive atmosphere at his 6000 square foot bakery. The relaxed and supportive environment is conducive to creativity and collaboration, making it possible for this team of friends to have fun while creating professional masterpieces. The staff at Charm City Cakes is composed of eleven musicians and artists with diverse backgrounds ranging from architecture to interior design. It is with this diverse creativity that Charm City Cakes is able to construct desserts that surpass bakery norms. Although they are not trained pastry chefs, this tight knit family is artistic and hardworking, learning more of the tricks of the trade with every cake they design. In the fall of 2006, America first witnessed the action at Charm City Cakes with the Food Network’s reality show, “Ace of Cakes.” The show follows the daily goings on at the shop, including the often entertaining antics of Goldman and his crew as they pursue cake-decorating perfection. Despite the fame brought by four seasons of “Ace of Cakes,” Goldman continues to challenge himself and his crew to constantly improve the quality of work produced. This dedication “ Not only are the cakes visually appealing, but with over forty flavors of cake and filling, they are appealing to the taste buds as well.” enables them to use cake design as a tool to transform a client’s special occasion into an event they will always remember. The process of capturing life and baking it into a delectable dessert revitalizes the traditional art of cake making. Although the team of artists takes on fresh challenges every week, the design process is relatively similar for each project. It begins with a meeting between Goldman and the client, where ideas and expectations are exchanged and discussed. Goldman then sketches his initial vision for the cake, leaving room for plenty of artistic input along the way. After brainstorming ideas, the crew at Charm City Cakes begins construction on the cake. They use knives to carve unusual shapes. For the more advanced designs, a skeletal framework is built, on which the cake will be supported. It is here that the bakery transforms into a quasigarage as they use drills, saws, and blowtorches to achieve the framework they want. With the cake sculpted, the next step is to apply the icing. To ensure a smooth surface, they drape and mold rolled fondant, an icing with dough-like consistency, around the body of the cake. While the fondant provides a professional appearance, it also aids in keeping the cake moist and fresh. Charm City Cakes is not afraid to challenge convention by using every color in the rainbow. Color can be kneaded into the fondant, piped and painted onto the cake, or applied by the more common airbrush technique, allowing Goldman to utilize the skills he perfected during his days as a graffiti artist. © Vincent Lupo of Direction One Photography 16 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E Edible decorative elements are then added onto the icing, taking the cake to the next level and completing the vision. Depending © Vincent Lupo of Direction One Photography “ Color can be kneaded into the fondant, piped and painted onto the cake, or applied by the more common airbrush technique...” ➧ The mastermind behind this extraordinary bakery is Duff Goldman. Nationally known for his hit Food Network reality show, “Ace of Cakes,” Goldman knew by age four that cooking would be his calling. He cultivated his passion for both art and cooking at the Corcoran College of Art, the University of Maryland, and the Culinary Institute of America. After graduating from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in California, Goldman became executive pastry chef at Colorado’s Vail Cascade Hotel. Wedding upon wedding revealed Goldman’s special talent for creating magnificent multi-tiered cakes. In March 2000, Goldman left what would be his last restaurant job, executive chef at Todd English’s Olives in Washington, [S]PECIAL INTEREST Pictured Above: Duff Goldman poses with some of the Radio City Rockettes, along with the cake he created to help celebrate their 75th anniversary. on the complexity of the design, the crew makes templates to ensure precision and accuracy of their artwork. Freehand artwork and “in-the-moment” artistic touches can be added for originality and flair. The unique textures and vibrant hues help Charm City Cakes defy the ordinary and make each cake one of a kind. After hours of attention and details, a Charm City cake is finally complete. Charm City Cakes will continue to conquer the unexpected. With every cake they create, the team at Charm City Cakes proves that no task is impossible. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. It is their abstract mentality and dedication to high quality art that constantly pushes them to build bigger and more involved cakes. Duff Goldman and his crew not only provide America with a charming treat but also a tasty reminder to enjoy every aspect of life. It is by their example that we can appreciate artistic talent and the beauty of incorporating it into every day life. [AL] AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 17 [D]ESIGN modern WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER? SENSIBILITY AND RUGGED SOPHISTICATION Based on an interview with Kara Mann Photography by Adam Heneghan KARA MANN LETS US IN ON HER CHILDHOOD MEMORIES, THE JOY OF DESIGNING AN ARIZONA HOME, AND HER OBSESSION WITH THE COLOR AUBERGINE. KARA MANN 18 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E I think I always knew in my sub-conscious, but never really addressed it until later in life. I remember as a kid rearranging my furniture constantly in my room and I look back on some art projects my Mom saved and I would always draw rooms or build rooms out of clay. I studied art at Tulane for my undergraduate degree and the funny thing is, a lot of my friends were in the architecture department and it never even crossed my mind at that point in time that it was something I wanted to do. I liked the general idea of art and art history and creating and getting those basic skills to create something. I got out of school and worked as a stylist in fashion. I’ve always been very interested in fashion. I think it’s all intertwined. I’m inspired by anything designed whether it’s clothing, shoes, furniture, a plate, or a piece of art. The world of a stylist, while it sounds super glamorous, is not as glamorous as one might think. Towards the end of it, I was doing more lifestyle styling and less fashion and it dawned on me that it was interiors I was interested in. That inspired me to go back and study interior design. WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL AESTHETIC? I like to push the boundaries. I like the interiors to respond to the architecture. People come to us to push the envelope and do something they wouldn’t do themselves. I’ve also become known for my dark palettes, which are sometimes a little scary for people—dark saturated palettes. I like to take risks. I like the aesthetic to evolve with the client, but I have been noticing that clients are coming to us for our look. HOW DO YOU GET A FEEL FOR WHAT A PROJECT SHOULD BE OR SAY? I listen to my clients and then translate their vision into a cohesive interior environment. There is nothing more important than listening to the desires and expectations of the owners. HOW DO YOU THINK PEOPLE SHOULD PREPARE AHEAD OF TIME BEFORE MEETING WITH A DESIGNER? Pulling inspiration pages out of magazine is a great start, and it’s often even more helpful to pull images of what you don’t like. It’s so subjective. Clients don’t have the vocabulary to express what they like, but they can point to a picture and say, “I don’t like that.” A lot of times people are more direct with what they don’t like versus what they like. They’ll say, “I specifically do not like black,” whereas they might say, “I just love that sofa,” and you ask why and they say, “I don’t know, I can’t really explain.” It also keeps the project from being pigeonholed into being only about what you know they like. When I have an idea of what they don’t like, I can avoid those elements while staying open to developing things they may not know they like. AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 19 B [D]ESIGN Bringing raw natural elements into the interiors and defining specific living spaces in the outdoor courtyard, patios and loggias made the transition from the in to the outdoors smooth and seamless. “ Hide throws and rugs, wideplanked oak floors, and horn accents add raw elements from nature to the clean lines of the home’s interior geography.” 20 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR CLIENTS AND THEIR ARIZONA RESIDENCE. My client is an Internet entrepreneur and he is a golf fanatic. He is based in Chicago and the season is limited here, so Arizona is a good place to go to decompress and spend some time doing what he loves, which is golf. It was important to our clients to be able to find sanctuary in this second home, but it was equally as important to make the space into a comfortable, but luxurious retreat for family and friends. For a Chicago couple, a second home in Arizona can be hard to get to, so designing it with visitors and entertaining in mind almost automatically ensured that the home would be used more often. Now that the home is finished, I can safely say that it is full of action almost every weekend of the year. HOW DOES THE HOUSE RELATE TO THE ENVIRONMENT? I wanted to have a cohesive flow between the interior and exterior landscapes. Bringing raw natural elements into the interiors and defining specific living spaces in the outdoor courtyard, patios and loggias made the transition from the in to the outdoors smooth and seamless. The palette related to the Arizona landscape. Rich dark colors grounded the space, where a light and airy palette wouldn’t have achieved the same look. We wanted to stick with a neutral palette, but did not want the interiors to be totally lost in the surrounding desert, so we went with the rich dark colors to help define an overall warmth for the indoor space. WHAT STEERED YOUR DESIGN CHOICES IN TERMS OF MATERIALS, LAYOUT, COLOR, AND LIGHTING? Our design objective was to craft a balanced relationship between the interior of Spanish Mission architecture and the natural elements of the surrounding landscape. The union of contemporary design and organic materials shapes the ideal environment for an entertaining-focused second home all the while maintaining a standard of minimalist luxury. Embodying the personal style of the homeowners through custom furniture and found treasures reinforces individuality in this desert sanctuary. Hide throws and rugs, wide-planked oak floors, and horn accents add raw elements from nature to the clean lines of the home’s interior geography. Each setting is warmed by natural linen draperies, tweed fabrics, and suede pieces to establish comfortable spaces for entertaining and relaxation. Numerous French and telescoping sliding doors integrate the home’s courtyard, loggias and patios into the interior living space allowing this Arizona retreat to blur the lines between the in and outdoors with modern sensibility and rugged sophistication. MOST MEMORABLE PART OF THIS PROJECT? I have fun designing furniture for all our clients, but with this project the owners had specific designs they had seen in The Mercer Hotel in New York that they wanted to integrate into the home. We took that as an opportunity to “get our hands dirty” with furniture design. We’ve been doing more and more custom design work with furniture. It’s a way to express details that AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 21 you love to see in specific pieces of furniture and a way to get inspired by designers that you love and admire while reflecting your own personal flair. The clients loved the Mercer and how it was chic without being “done.” There was a casual quality that was so appealing to them. We were able to recreate that through the materials we used. WHAT PIECE IN PARTICULAR ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT? I love the master bed. There are some really beautiful details to that headboard. The headboard is made out of suede with double stitched leather and it’s treated 22 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E more like a slipcover. Instead of being fully upholstered at the base of the headboard, it has a box pleat around the base. I think the little details in the room were so well designed and executed. WHAT DO YOU FIND VISUALLY INSPIRING AT THE MOMENT? I’m intrigued by wide-plank bleached floors, moving away from these really heavily darkstained floors, which opens up a new palette. I’m a little obsessed with aubergine, the color, whether in a fabric or a paint color. I’m always drawn to either very pure spaces, like white-on-white-on-white or an incredibly dark space with really intense colors like citrine or bright blue or something crazy, like hot pink. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT DESIGNING SPACES FOR FRIENDS OR FAMILY? I’ve been working on a house with my Mom in Michigan, which has been kind of interesting. As for friends’ spaces? I try to stay clear of that; I want to stay friends. [laughs] No matter where I am, there’s someone who wants to know if that paint color is right or if they should move a chair into another room, so I always get sucked in a little bit. “ [D]ESIGN I love the master bed. There are some really beautiful details to that headboard. The headboard is made out of suede with double stitched leather...” WHAT AWARD OR DISTINCTION ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? Specifically it would be considered for the Metropolitan Home Design 100, but truly what I’m most proud of is the team I have here working with me at my office. It’s an amazing group of people—very talented and super dedicated—and it makes coming in to work the best reward I could possibly have. [AL] For more information, go online to karamann.com AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 23 [T]RAVEL a little I’m staring directly into the eyes, or more precisely the left eye, of a giant shark. He’s so close I could almost reach out and touch his slimy skin. We hold that burning eye lock a few more seconds before the huge fish continues to glide effortlessly by. But there’s nothing to fear. I’m not deep sea diving in open ocean. I’m standing beside the glass of a colossal tank at the fabulous National Aquarium in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. I’m here for a getaway with my husband and am quickly learning that there’s so much more to this city than we ever expected. 24 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E BALTIMORE FOR EVERYONE Article and photography by Janine S. Pouliot AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 25 We begin our getaway by checking into the aptly named Pier 5 Hotel. Almost every pier that juts out haphazardly into the harbor now abounds with upscale hotels and attractions. The location couldn’t be more perfect: walking distance to most of the important activities. We reserved the Tradewinds Suite and a plaque on the door states, “Setting Sail to New Adventure.” That saying proved to be prophetic: as soon as we enter we feel as if we have been transported to the South Seas. The interior of the super-sized suite is an amalgamation of animal hide and rattan furniture, yet it isn’t hokey or overdone. The rich weathered leather sofa and four deep arm chairs feel appropriate juxtaposed against the sisal rug, zebra skin floor throw, and tapa cloth wall covering. The coffee table, made of rattan with leather trim and handles, resembles an old steamer trunk bound for safari. Two pith helmets hang on the wall. The South Seas theme is carried out throughout the room, including paintings, native wood carved lamps, and palm frond fan. Of course the mammoth whirlpool bathtub sitting on a raised marble platform in the master bedroom, the full wrap-around bar, entertainment center with three TVs, and gas fireplace might be considered a concession to contemporary luxury and romance. Dozens of highend British Gilchrist & Soames toiletries and a box of Godiva chocolates sitting on the bed also welcome us. “ [T]RAVEL The rich weathered leather sofa and four deep arm chairs feel appropriate juxtaposed against the sisal rug, zebra skin floor throw and tapa cloth wall covering.” RISING ANEW Up until the 1970s, Baltimore was a gritty manufacturing and shipping port town. But as industry declined and jobs evaporated, the city spiraled into decline as residents fled in search of employment elsewhere. By the late ‘70s the harbor was a forlorn collection of abandoned warehouses and rotting piers. But then an ambitious undertaking to transform the waterfront into something magical was launched through the combined efforts of municipal, business, and volunteer participants. Today, the Inner Harbor far surpasses anyone’s wildest imagination with its red-brick pedestrian walkways and collection of restaurants, shops, museums, aquarium, tall ships, harbor cruises, yachts, paddleboats, 26 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E Science Center, IMAX theater, street performers, joggers, and general sense of energy. As revitalization spread throughout Baltimore, old and historic neighborhoods began to undergo renovation and charming two hundred year old brick row houses were gentrified, transforming entire communities into tourist magnets. Dozens of flower and flag festooned buildings now present ideal photo ops. Fine dining restaurants have cropped up, along with a glittering lineup of modern steel and glass highrises that reflect twinkling lights in the bay at night. The whole skyline is illuminated like a wonderland, completely altering Baltimore’s once derelict façade into something breathtaking. “ As revitalization spread throughout Baltimore, old and historic neighborhoods began to undergo renovation and charming two hundred year old brick row houses were gentrified, transforming entire communities into tourist magnets.” GETTING SETTLED AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 27 WATERY WONDERLAND “ For us, the winner is the Amazon River Forest where we can practically feel the heat and humidity through the glass as we observe the life and times of the jungle both above and below the waterline.” exactly like a coastal marsh with a section of real pier sticking into a genuine weedy bank. ➧ Photo courtesy of National Aquarium of Baltimore Pictured Above: The Amazon River Forest section of the National Aquarium, Baltimore 28 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E Our first stop is the area’s most popular attraction, the top rated National Aquarium. The facility is brilliantly designed with soft lighting that allows visitors to see clearly through the vast pools without underwater illumination or glare. Bridges over the water let you look directly down on the giant rays with long spiny tails, sharks, and a turtle the size of our first apartment. As guests move through the exhibits, they transcend from looking down into the water to looking through it, which is where I have my close encounter with the shark. Elsewhere in the aquarium, individual habitats are re-created to showcase fish and other animals as they exist in the wild. One exhibit, for example, looks For us, the winner is the Amazon River Forest where we can practically feel the heat and humidity through the glass as we observe the life and times of the jungle both above and below the waterline. A dense underwater root system is home to numerous species of fish, turtles and crocodiles who sit motionless with just their snoots exposed to the air—that is until two bump into each other and a fight ensues with snapping jaws and thrashing in the water. Above, in the lush palms and ferns, the world’s smallest (and cutest) monkey, the pygmy marmoset, moves delicately about the trunk of a palm. We board an escalator to investigate the next level and literally step out into the Upland Tropical Rain Forest. Suddenly we really are enveloped by pervasive humidity, low hanging foliage and tropical birds. It’s a bit shocking and exhilarating. [T]RAVEL Walters Art Museum, another of Baltimore’s applauded treasures. Admission is always free, but in addition there’s a musical concert every Friday, anything from classical to jazz, in the Graham Auditorium. The extensive collection of over 28,000 art objects and paintings cover four floors with such exhibits as seventeeth century Flemish paintings, eighteenth century porcelain, arms and armor, Egyptian mummies and jewelry, tapestries from the Middle Ages, etc. The original palazzo building, built between 1904 and 1909 and modeled after the seventeenth century Collegio dei Gesuiti (now Palazzo dell’Università) in Genoa, was recently restored and features a striking marblecolumn sculpture courtyard, complete with urn-like fountain. Baltimore is chock full of other serious and wacky museums. To face your inner coward, visit the National Museum of Dentistry, which displays, among other things, George Washington’s dentures, four silk screen prints of Saint Apollonia (patron saint EASY CULTURE of dentistry) created by Andy Warhol, and Queen Victoria’s gilded dental instructions. Geppi’s Entertainment Museum is a walk down memory lane of American pop culture. There’s also the B&O Railroad Museum (for anyone who’s ever played Monopoly), the Public Works Museum, the Jewish Museum of Maryland, the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum (the only one of its kind), and the Baltimore Museum of Art with a substantial display, among others. After perusing the Walter’s Art Museum, we head to dinner at Timothy Dean Bistro. Chef Dean is representative of Baltimore itself. Starting out as an inauspicious dishwasher at age fourteen, he moved up to work in a pizza parlor, then quickly catapulted through the culinary ranks, completing high school and a business degree at Howard University along the way to become a celebrated and prestigious chef. There’s no question his accolades are well deserved. Dean infuses his dishes with plenty of lusty flavors to wake up “ Another of Baltimore’s fine dining experiences is tucked into one of its famous neighborhoods —Little Italy.” On Friday evening before going to dinner, we grab a taxi to the AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 29 “ the palate without overwhelming it. He strikes that rare fine balance between creativity and familiarity to produce awe inspiring meals. Named the best restaurant in Little Italy by Baltimore Magazine, Aldo’s is the brainchild of Italian born Aldo Vitale, a fixture on the Baltimore culinary scene.” This being Maryland, we can’t leave without savoring at least one crab cake and the jumbo patty that arrives as an appetizer seems to defy nature—mildly crispy, pan-seared on the outside, held together with not much more than juices—surrounded by jalapeño-cheese polenta and sweet corn coulis. Another of Baltimore’s fine dining experiences is tucked into one of its famous neighborhoods—Little Italy. As soon as we turn the corner we catch a whiff of the pungent scent of garlic and follow our noses to Aldo’s. Named the best restaurant in Little Italy by Baltimore Magazine, Aldo’s is the brainchild of Italian born Aldo Vitale, a fixture on the Baltimore culinary scene. The menu reflects a sophisticated preparation of high quality ingredients such as a salad of mixed greens, crumbled gorgonzola, toasted walnuts, and champagne vinaigrette, followed by butter poached lobster risotto infused with Highlands scotch and the inconceivably tender grilled filet mignon seared with Hudson Valley foie gras in an Italian black truffle, porcini, and wild mushroom sauce. Also named, “The place for romance,” by USA Today, Aldo’s has the ideal-for-lovers table tucked into an intimate alcove overlooking the ornate Italianate courtyard, fashioned from two abandoned buildings which were restored and connected when Aldo took over. Casual daytime eating takes place around Baltimore at the many neighborhood markets. The largest, Lexington Market, was established in 1782 and 30 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E [T]RAVEL “ slaves. All four decks are open as a museum. today features more than 140 merchants hawking fish on ice, sandwiches, flowers, barbeque, fresh produce, a raw bar, and more. The hip Cross Street Market is the place to order takeout to carry to Federal Hill, located scenically above the harbor, for a million dollar view at a picnic price. Office workers and families sit with the sun on their backs lazily watching the water traffic while seagulls swoop and squawk overhead. Federal Hill, one of Baltimore’s once profoundly depressed neighborhoods is now perfect for strolling the cobblestone streets lined with narrow brick row houses fronted by gleaming white marble steps. In the 1800s, marble was a plentiful resource and working class home owners took great pride in adorning their modest homes with it. A SHIPS AHOY walk around Federal Hill reveals that it is still very much a functioning neighborhood, and on a quiet Sunday morning kids play ball in the street as parents bring home bagels and the newspaper. GOOD EATS “ The hip Cross Street Market is the place to order takeout to carry to Federal Hill, located scenically above the harbor, for a million dollar view at a picnic price.” Another neighborhood, Fell’s Point, is reached by car or preferably by collective water taxi from the Inner Harbor. The minicruise discloses spectacular vistas of the waterfront as it crisscrosses the port bound for various stops. In its more rugged days, Fell’s Point drew crusty sailors to its scruffy saloons. Today it’s still a popular dining and watering hole, although upscale condos now front the bay. Returning by water taxi, we linger at the Inner Harbor. Baltimore sponsors a program inviting tall sailing ships, cargo vessels, military transport, and environmental craft from around the world to moor at the piers and open their hatches to the public for a tour of their interior. One permanent ship is the historic USS Constellation, built in 1854. It’s the last all-sail warship ever constructed by the United States Navy and the only Civil War Navy vessel still afloat. Between 1859 and 1861, the Constellation served as the flagship of the African Squadron, patrolling and intercepting foreign vessels involved in the importation of The Inner Harbor has other unique attractions, as well. The Power Plant, built in 1900 to provide power to the port, now houses retail shops, restaurants and dance clubs, along with loft offices on the upper floors. We enter downstairs into a huge Barnes & Nobles and are immediately aware that this was once a functioning factory. The original structure has been altered little, with enormous entryways cut right through giant copper stacks. Green steel girders with rivets punctuate the store. One stack has been left intact so visitors can observe the brick-lined interior complete with coal burning furnace. Another must-do is a twentyseven floor elevator ride to the top of Baltimore’s World Trade Center. The observation level opens onto a 360 degree panorama of the city and its oldest neighborhoods, some dating back 250 years. Displays offer plenty of factoids. For example, Baltimore We enter downstairs into a huge Barnes & Nobles and are immediately aware that this was once a functioning factory.” was home to legendary jazz great Eubie Blake, who wrote the song “I’m Just Wild About Harry” and whose collective works were commemorated in the popular 1978 Broadway play Eubie! The Harbor also has a first rate visitor center with an informative video and loads of brochures on attractions. From the volume of flyers, it’s obvious Baltimore has enough offerings to please visitors of any age. [AL] For more information, visit online at baltimore.org or call 1-877-Baltimore AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 31 cinnamon bubble gum cantaloupe green apple lemon lime peanut butter orange sherbet strawberry daiquiri top banana very cherry buttered popcorn cotton candy mango crushed pineapple juicy pear chocolate pudding licorice raspberry blueberry coconut kiwi pink grapefruit strawberry jam tutti-fruitti watermelon 32 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E “ joy of JELLY BELLY JELLY BEANS Content and photography courtesy of Jelly Belly® ® [H]ISTORY The shell coating is an offspring of a process called panning, first invented in seventeenth century France to make Jordan Almonds. The panning process, while done primarily by machine today, has remained essentially the same for the last three hundred years.” A HISTORY LESSON ••••••••• The exact origins of the jelly bean are lost in time, and only a part of its history is known. Most experts believe the jell center is a descendent of a Mid-Eastern confection known as Turkish Delight that dates back to Biblical times. The shell coating is an offspring of a process called panning, first invented in seventeeth century France to make Jordan Almonds. The panning process, while done primarily by machine today, has remained essentially the same for the last three hundred years. The French began by rocking almonds in a bowl filled with sugar and syrup until the almonds were coated with a candy shell. Today, large rotating pans do the heavy work, while master confectioners apply their true art in adding the ingredients to create just the right shell. Somehow the two processes made their way to America. The earliest known appearance of a jelly bean combining the two techniques is in an 1861 advertisement for William Schrafft of Boston that promoted the sending of jelly beans to soldiers in the Union Army during the Civil War. Jelly beans quickly earned a place among the many glass jars of “ “penny candy” in general stores where they were sold by weight and taken home in paper bags. In 1976 the invention of Jelly Belly jelly beans thoroughly revolutionized the popular notion of a “jelly bean.” Today, they are still being sent off to U.S. soldiers serving around the world. The Jelly Belly bean is considered as American as apple pie! Jelly Belly Candy Company, manufacturer of jelly beans and a wide range of confections, is a family owned and operated business now in its fifth generation of candy making. Jelly beans quickly earned a place among the many glass jars of “penny candy” in general stores where they were sold by weight and taken home in paper bags.” AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 33 [H]IS TORY JELLY BELLY JELLY BELLY TASTY TRIVIA: A FAMILY AFFAIR ••••••••• “ But economic upheaval intervened when the Panic of 1893, one of the worst depressions in American history, plagued the country for the next four years.” AMERICAN LIFESTYL E BEANBOOZLED™ Is it a delicious Top Banana Jelly Belly bean, or is it Pencil Shavings flavor? Who knows, unless you take the dare to compare with the Jelly Belly BeanBoozled™ collection of jelly beans introduced at the 2007 All Candy Expo. Beanboozled jelly beans come in 20 flavors—10 weird and wild flavors matched up with 10 look-alike tasty flavors. Is the black jelly bean Licorice or is it Skunk Spray? Perhaps the blue bean is Toothpaste flavor, or maybe it’s delicious Berry Blue. Think you can tell them apart? We dare you! Jelly Belly BeanBoozled flavor pairings: Herman Goelitz Rowland is chief executive officer and great grandson of Gustav Goelitz, who emigrated from Germany in 1867, and was the family’s first candy maker. The family began making candy in 1869. The current company operated by the family, Jelly Belly Candy Company, has been in continuous operation since 1898 (formerly known as Goelitz Confectionary Company). Rowland is joined in the business with his cousin, William H. Kelley, who is vice chairman and overseer of the company’s North Chicago production facility. Kelley is also the great-grandson of Gustav Goelitz, and his father and grandfather before him worked in the business. Rowland’s children have also taken a leadership role in the company where family comes first. Gustav Goelitz, the man who set the family on its sweet course, learned candy making in America, and by 1869 was in business for himself in Belleville, Illinois. Gustav was joined by his brother, Albert, and together they sold handmade candies from a horse drawn cart. Soon the Goelitz name developed a reputation for 34 Before an introduction, a new Jelly Belly bean is subjected to a Critique Session and Tasting Party. These sessions bring top management and employees together to submit opinions. The proposed new Jelly Belly bean is rated by flavor, color, texture of the center, appearance and thickness of the shell. When they reach an enthusiastic consensus of opinion, they release a new flavor to the public. high quality confections as the brothers expanded operations. But economic upheaval intervened when the Panic of 1893, one of the worst depressions in American history, plagued the country for the next four years. Gustav and Albert were forced to assign assets to creditors and sell the business. That was only the beginning. The two eldest sons of Gustav had worked in their father’s candy business, then set out on their own. Adolph opened a Cincinnati-based candy company with the help of his friend and neighbor, William Kelley. Soon his brothers, Gus Jr. and Herman would join him there. In 1901 they hired Will Kelley’s cousin, Edward Kelley, as a bookkeeper. Ed fell in love with one of the Goelitz sisters, Joanna, and married her, formally joining the Goelitz and Kelley clans into a family partnership. Goelitz Confectionary Company prospered. Their single best seller was candy corn. Skunk Spray Licorice Pencil Shavings Top Banana Rotten Egg Butter Popcorn Toothpaste Berry Blue Ear Wax Cafe Latte Vomit Peach Booger Juicy Pear Moldy Cheese Caramel Corn Baby Wipes Coconut Black Pepper Plum Gustav GOELITZ It was the third generation of the candy-making family that would get the call to create the “Rolls Royce of jelly beans” in 1976. AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 35 [H]ISTORY A JELLY BELLY BEAN IS BORN••••••••• The telephone call from a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur asking for a jelly bean with “natural” ingredients put Goelitz candy makers to work. Fruit purees and juice concentrates were used to flavor the centers and the shells of the jelly beans, and the Jelly Belly jelly bean was born. The full-flavored, authentic tasting beans were an immediate success when first introduced in southern California. The firm, virtually unknown outside the candy industry, was thrown into national prominence when then-presidential candidate Ronald Reagan was photographed and interviewed about his fondness for Jelly Belly beans during the 1980 election campaign. Within a year of the 1981 inaugural ceremonies, when three-and-a-half tons of Jelly Belly beans were consumed during the festivities, the company was backlogged using round-the-clock shifts in both plants to keep up with the orders. The plant operations had to be expanded, new equipment installed and the firm went from ten employees in California in 1975 to over 700 in the two plants today. In 1986, a new plant and corporate headquarters were opened in Fairfield, California, and the facility was doubled in size in 1992. Free public tours of the factories attracted more than 450,000 visitors last year. The firm also built a new distribution center in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, where warehouse tours via an indoor Jelly Belly Express train opened in August 2001 and now draw 300,000 visitors a year. 36 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E Jelly Belly Candy Company today makes fifty official flavors of Jelly Belly jelly beans and over one hundred gourmet candies under the Confections by Jelly Belly brand name, including jells, gummi, chocolate-covered, sugar-free, and seasonal sweets for all the major holidays. The firm’s products are currently being sold in twenty countries and the U.S. JELLY BELLY Jelly Belly art is exhibited around the country! TASTY TRIVIA: Currently, Very Cherry, Licorice, Buttered Popcorn, Juicy Pear and Watermelon are at the top of the favorite flavors list. Tastes vary by country, however. In England, the most popular flavors are Very Cherry and Top Banana; in Japan, they are Lemon Lime and Pineapple; in Australia, they are Tutti-Fruitti and Buttered Popcorn; and in Mexico, they are Green Apple and Piña Colada. Large scale mosaics are made from Jelly Belly beans into portraits of American classics. The art was originally the brainstorm of San Francisco artist Peter Rocha, who was entranced by the brilliant colors of the beans. Other artists, including Peter’s nephew Roger, have since taken up the calling. The Jelly Belly Collection of fifty pieces of Jelly Belly art is exhibited around the country. The collection includes portraits of Abraham Lincoln, the Statue of Liberty, Benjamin Franklin, Elvis “ The plant operations had to be expanded, new equipment installed and the firm went from ten employees in California in 1975 to over seven hundred in the two plants today.” Presley, and many others. A TOUR THROUGH JELLY BELLY COUNTRY••••••••• The Jelly Belly Visitor Center, completed in April 1999, offers a fun, exciting adventure in touring, shopping, and dining. All factory tours are free and open to the public. Guests may take the Jelly Belly Candy Trail on an elevated walkway as trail guides lead the group through the candy production process. Video monitors enhance the experience with close-up views of the various manufacturing activities taking place during the candymaking process. Store shoppers will be amazed at the complete selection of Jelly Belly jelly beans and Goelitz Confections items. There is a special demonstration candy kitchen adjacent to the store allowing you to purchase candy that has been made right in front of your eyes. Experience Jelly Belly dining at its best at the Jelly Belly Café, which features hot dogs, hamburgers, and pizza all shaped like a Jelly Belly jelly bean! Treat your tastebuds to a wide variety of luscious flavors at the Jelly Belly Ice Cream Bar™. One thing is for certain—a visit to the Jelly Belly Visitor Center is going to be a sweet experience for the whole family. [AL] For more information, visit jellybelly.com AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 37 [C]ULTURE COTTONWOOD, IDAHO DOG BARK PARK INN unexpected PLACES TO STAY THE NIGHT unexpectedly WE SCOURED NORTH AMERICA IN CANINE: SEARCH OF SOME OF THE QUIRKIEST Article compiled by Lauren Houlihan WITH THE MONEY THEY RECEIVED FROM SELLING THEIR WOODEN DOG CARVINGS ON QVC, Dennis Sullivan and Frances Conklin of Dog Bark Park Inn in Cottonwood, Idaho completed construction of AND MOST the world’s biggest beagle in August of 2003. memorable Called Dog Bark Park Inn B&B, the big dog is a BED AND BREAKFAST GUESTHOUSE that sleeps four in its interior suite, complete with full bath and loft room in the head of the dog. A hearty PLACES TO SPEND THE NIGHT. continental breakfast featuring Dog Bark Park’s own Prairie’s Best Fruited Granola and an array of fruits, pastries, cheeses, and beverages FROM RURAL IDAHO TO BUSTLING is provided. An antique suitcase overflows It’s a dog, it’s a hotel, it’s the Dog Bark Park Inn! with BOOKS, GAMES & PUZZLE ACTIVITIES for guests of all ages. NEW YORK CITY, WE HAVE THE INSIDE The beagle-shaped structure is built in a style of architecture, called programmatic or mimic SCOOP ON THESE ONE-OF-A-KIND architecture that was most popular in America during the 1930’s to 1950’s, when automobile vacation travel was a new and growing activity DESTINATIONS. ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY. Owners Dennis Sullivan and Franc Conklin carve mini versions in their studio. i 38 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E For reservations and information, call 208-962-3647 or visit dogbarkparkinn.com online. AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 39 [C]ULTURE SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA DOLORES, COLORADO BOULDERS DUNTON RESORT HOT SPRINGS & GOLDEN DOOR SPA unexpectedly ENVIRONMENTAL: unexpectedly HIDDEN AWAY: CHUCKWALLAS, LIZARDS NATIVE TO THE SOUTHWEST, WARM THEMSELVES ON GIGANTIC GRANITE BOULDERS. Springs is an authentic ghost town set in spectacular isolation, combining rustic luxury, Towering saguaro cacti reach for the blue sky. And the sun’s rays encourage wildflowers to impeccable service, and rare adventures IN AN bloom in vivid shades of magenta, gold and ATMOSPHERE OF WARMTH AND CHARM. lavender. This is life at The Boulders today, Eleven unique and meticulously restored 19th and as it has been for centuries. century cabins can accommodate up to 34 guests. All of this is crowned by a fully Named for the 12-million-year-old boulder rtored dance hall and saloon complete with the moni- formations, The Boulders Resort & Golden Door kers of Butch Cassidy and sidekick Sundance Spa is situated on 1,300 acres in the high carved in the rustic wooden bar. Guests can Sonoran Desert foothills of Carefree. Guest enjoy the various hot springs and the perfectly quarters are shaped into the natural terrain appointed library, and then be pampered by an and grouped in village-like clusters to the north array of spa treatments. For those with an and south of the main lodge. These spacious adventurous spirit, activities like heli-skiing or accommodations feature wood-burning The dert landscape bkons visitors to stroll among the wildflowers. LOCATED NEAR TELLURIDE, COLORADO, Dunton Hot snowmobiling and expeditions into the desert fireplaces and PRIVATE PATIOS or decks can be arranged in the winter season, with overlooking the desert or golf course. horse-back riding, fly fishing and OFF-ROAD 4X4 TOURS AVAILABLE DURING THE SUMMER. Guests have an array of outdoor activities to choose from, such as tennis, golf, desert hikes, mountain bike tours, horseback riding, rock climbing, hot-air ballooning, biplane flights, desert jeep tours, AND GRAND CANYON TOURS. Watch your car disaear in the steam of the hot springs. Welcome to Arizona. Wish you were here... Sleep in ‘til noon in rustic luxury! i 40 For reservations and information, call 866-397-6520 or visit theboulders.com online. AMERICAN LIFESTYL E i For reservations and information, call 970-882-4800 or visit duntonhotsprings.com online. AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 41 [C]ULTURE EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS NEW YORK, NEW YORK TREE CASABLANCA HOTEL HOUSE COTTAGES unexpectedly IN THE TREES: TERRY AND PATSY CHOSE THE MAGICAL TOWN OF EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS to settle down, raise a unexpectedly OLD HOLLYWOOD: CELEBRATED AS ONE OF NEW YORK CITY’S MOST POPULAR HOTELS, the Casablanca Hotel is a hidden gem, just steps away from vibrant Times Square. family and earn a creative living, away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. From their small Inspired by the romance of the movie beginnings located on the main curvy highway Casablanca, this oasis of luminous Moroccan of this enchanting historic tourist town, they glamour and hospitality is only outshined by the eventually developed a unique lodging business talented and eager to please staff. Rick’s Café, a they fondly named “Treehouse Cottages.” relaxing upstairs club room, serves complimentary refreshments twenty-four hours a day, including Terry is a builder by trade, with a background deluxe European-style breakfast each morning in building stilt houses in the Florida Keys, along- and wine & cheese receptions every evening side his father who was a builder/architect. With from five to eight o’clock. only his imagination, tools and a forest of trees, The executive board room at the Casablanca Terry custom designed and built each cottage Can you feel the romance in the air? suspended up on five wooden pol twenty-two seats up to twelve and Tony’s Di Napoli restaurant to twenty-six feet off the ground. These cottages serves some of New York’s MOST DELICIOUS do not resemble the rustic treehouses of one’s ITALIAN CUISINE FAMILY STYLE as well as offering youth. They are pure luxury inside, with room service to Casablanca Hotel guests. HEART-SHAPED WHIRLPOOL TUBS surrounded by glass, taking in a panoramic view of the heightened forest. There is also a floor to ceiling picture window that enhances the treehouse feeling, bringing the outside in. The wraparound deck is a Feel like you’re walking onto the s of the movie, Casablanca. perfect place to sip your coffee, read that book, or just holler a Tarzan call. Patsy has added her artistic touch with her wheel thrown pottery for the kitchen dishes, as well as handmade tile on the counters. As a matter of fact, everything is handmade, from the cedar railings to the Sleeping in the treops is sure to bring you closer to nature. i 42 cabinets to the doors. For reservations and information, call 479-253-8667 or visit treehousecottages.com online. AMERICAN LIFESTYL E Rick’s Cafe is rplendent in Moroccaninspired dor. i For reservations and information, call 212-869-1212 or visit casablancahotel.com online. AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 43 [C]ULTURE QUEBEC, CANADA CATSKILL MOUNTAINS, NEW YORK THE ICE KATE’S HOTEL unexpectedly COLD: LAZY MEADOW unexpectedly MOD: THE ICE HOTEL QUEBEC-CANADA IS CREATED FROM fifteen thousand tons of snow and five hundred Motel in Gatorville, Florida. She ought to know with original artwork, and furniture carved out of a motel from a hotel, or a no-tell! ice blocks. Construction begins in mid-December and takes approximately one month from With her wealth of knowledge, she created Kate’s start to finish. Lazy Meadow Motel, her dream getaway in the Catskill Mountains, near famous Woodstock, New the night here. They are York. Inside the cozy, RUSTIC cabins, you’ll find what asked to follow the three-layer technique when Kate affectionately describes as MID-CENTURY dressing for an overnight stay. Hats, gloves, and MODERN/SPACE AGE/ROCKET-YOUR-SOCKS-OFF DECOR. boots are also key pieces of gear. The suites are filled with authentic ‘50s-style kitchens turned out with vintage cabinets, Frigidaires and As for the bed, BLOCKS OF ICE FORM THE BASE, Sleep tight...and warm! has stayed in her fair share of hotels—from the Four Seasons in Los Angeles to the Pink Flamingo tons of ice, complete with ceilings, walls covered Yes, guests really do stay AS A MEMBER OF THE ROCK BAND THE B-52’S, Kate Pierson stoves—ALL IN DAZZLING COLORS! followed by a solid wood box frame, a thick foam mattress, a fleece sheet, and then a thick wool blanket. When evening arrives, a warm and soft sleeping bag is delivered to guests’ rooms. These arctic sleeping bags can resist against very cold temperatures. The temperature of the hotel stays between 26 degrees and 23 degrees Fahrenheit. There are also heated and lit restrooms and © Butter dressing rooms located in the Ice Hotel, available at all hours of the day and night. Within these dressing rooms are NORDIC-STYLE HOT TUBS AND A The cabins are accorized with tchotchk Kate picked up ile on tour in America. SAUNA TO WARM UP FROM THE CHILLY HOTEL. © Butter Located on nine beautiful acr, it’s fronted by a sluded seion of the magnificent Esopus Creek. Inspired by an Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden. i 44 For reservations and information, call 1-877-505-0423 or visit icehotel-canada.com online. AMERICAN LIFESTYL E i For reservations and information, call 845-688-7200 or visit lazymeadow.com online. AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 45 Article by Neena Marupudi Bhangra is a boisterous dance with beats that were once meant to fill the bountiful fields of northern India during harvests. This Lok Naach, or cultural folk dance, originates from Punjab, a region covering Eastern Pakistan and Northern India, bordered by five rivers, and with a long history “ The stage lights fade to inky black. A hush descends on the audience, and the subtle current of excitement is now palpable. Out of the speakers comes a heartbeat rhythm, breaking the silence. Ba BUM, ba BUM, ba BUM. The fervor of the audience builds, as they have been anticipating this performance all night. The rhythm builds as beats and melodies meld into a sound that is at once primal and beautiful, a sound that fills you and wills you to move. The lights come up and on stage a most amazing sight: people in brilliantly colored costumes dance across the stage, jumping and moving with so much energy it’s infectious. The timing is perfect, the movements precise. The dancers split into groups, weaving and coming together in chaotic order, an expression of joy and exuberance but also of grace and discipline. The movements tell a story, and as the story progresses there is a need for a monster, or a giant, and a male dancer emerges with one dancer perched on his shoulders and another wrapped around his waist. More dancers 46 AMERICAN LIFESTYL E The dancers split into groups, weaving and coming together in chaotic order, an expression of joy and exuberance but also of grace and discipline.” and strong cultural heritage. This exuberant and catching form of music and dance was originally thought to be inspired by Punjabi wheat farmers in the fifteenth century, who danced and sang songs about village life to help pass the time while working in the fields. Over time, these songs and dances became a part of the celebrations commemorating the harvest festival of Baisakhi, a festival of nature that falls in April (also known as the Indian month of Vaisakhi). Unlike other classical Indian dances that include devotional prayers in them, Bhangra is much closer to nature and maintains more earthy themes. One can observe agricultural and field worker-like movements in the choreography. The dancers enact verses called bolis, representing a variety of subjects, from political affairs to arguments with a sister-in-law to young love. From the traditional villages, this style of dance quickly permeated through all divisions of class and education, becoming a part of wedding celebrations, annual holiday festivals, New Year’s festivities, and all other general celebratory functions. Bhangra is not only cheerful in sound, but also in color. The Bhangra dress reflects the Punjabi love for bright colors. The colors—bright reds, greens, blues, and yellows—stand out distinctly from the earthy tones of the village environment and are a sign of happiness; they are symbols of the inherent joyful nature of the village folk. The Bhangra dress is derived from typical daily wear, so it varies depending on which region of the Punjab you are in. Bhangra costumes include the turla, a fan-like adornment on the turban, displaying a sign of pride; the pag, a turban, displaying a sign of honor; a kaintha, a type of ornate precious metal necklace; a kurta, a loose shirt; a jughi, a waistcoat; and the thamba, a rectangular cloth which goes around the legs and is tied around the waist. Women wear a salwar kameez, the traditional Punjabi dress composed of a long colorful shirt and baggy, vibrant pants. Woman also wear dupattas, colorful pieces of cloth wrapped around the head and neck. Finally, the dance is performed barefooted, alternating between heavy ground-shaking movements that connect the dancer with the earth, and light jumps that symbolize the freespirited nature of the performer. Bhangra has evolved today into a revered art whose catchy elements ➧ MUSIC BHANGRA! break into stunts until the whole stage is spinning and smiling and hanging on for dear life. Thunderous applause erupts and the audience is on their feet with excitement. This is bhangra, and it’s taking the music and dance world by storm. Pictured Above: A group of students from Penn State Hershey Medical School in Hershey, Pennsylvania pose in the hall before their performance. ➧ lights [D]ANCE are frequently borrowed by Western musical artists. In the early 1980s, Punjabi emigrants living in Great Britain developed it into a British musical genre. The modernized sounds of Bhangra still retain classic and raw elements but also utilize modern instrumentation of music and language in order to produce Bhangra songs that can appease any type of audience. With the constant hard-hitting dhol (high-bass drum)beats and tumbi (high-tone single string instrument) strings leading the way for the vocals, Bhangra Pictured Left: Dancer Carrie Knipel performs a Bhangra routine during the annual Multicultural Awareness Club Show at Hershey Medical School. songs portray a whole plethora of emotions, tempting the listener to throw their arms in the air, bounce their shoulders up and down in sync with the beats, and make tracks towards the dance floor. The up-beat vibes of the music and the panache of the artists continue to popularize this music genre, rapidly making Bhangra an essential and integral part of global dance and music culture. [AL] AMERICAN LIFESTYLE 47