In This Issue: February-March 2016

After a too-warm December and then a too-cold New Year’s, we are now where we’re supposed to be …

Stuck in winter.

Fear not. We have an overdose of fun this issue to fight off any doldrums. First, in the entertainment world, Bill Bevins and Shelly Perkins talk with Lisa Wolfinger, co-executive producer of the new locally filmed PBS hit Mercy Street. Then we catch up with some old friends: Doris Day and Betty Lynn (Betty was Barney Fife’s girlfriend Thelma Lou, remember?), who talk with Nick Thomas. Actor Tony Roberts reminisces with Audrey Hingley. Daniel Neman shares his views on why movie stars are actually, yes, smart. Really.

Jann Malone picks five new books for winter reading. Lori Ross shares insiders’ tips on planning your OBX vacation (with lots of summer beach pics!). Columnist Randy Fitzgerald heads to Aruba. John Packett interviews one of the most whimsically talented people around: Lego artist Brian Korte. Bill Oglesby wonders where you were on Feb. 17, 1985.

It’s not all fun and games. Robin Farmer delivers a much-needed assessment of the Richmond real estate market for the post-50 set. (Get working, builders.) Paula Neely delves into the sleep difficulties afflicting our generations. Lori Ross tackles the latest issues in caregiving. Kiplinger Financial offers advice on travel and 2016 investing. And therapist Fran Marmor suggests divorcing an alcoholic husband who refuses to get help.

Columnist David L. Robbins shares the inspiring inside story of The Mighty Pen Project he helped create, enabling returning veterans to write their stories. Columnist Kate W. Hall shares the story of a strange syndrome, PANDAS, afflicting some children and their families. Lisa Schaffner suggests how we all can “give back” through The Doorways organization.

Looking for something to do? Daniel Jones previews the Motor Trend Auto Show, gives the latest on restaurants in our Food pages, writes about the Virginia Arts Festival and finds 30 Richmond events during February and March. Marggie Graves highlights three of them.

We end with a few brain teasers: Cartoonist Gary Brookins conjures up a fun caption contest and beer expert Lee Graves offers an intriguing Trivia quiz on Virginia’s craft brews.

See you next time … when the thaw has begun.

– Ray McAllister