WORST of the SUPREMES • BELLEVUE THEATER RENOVATION VOLUME 24 No 11 NOVEMBER 2018

WORST OF THE SUPREMES • BELLEVUE THEATER RENOVATION VOLUME 24 No 11 NOVEMBER 2018

1978-2018

Kaity

died on October 23, five days after celebrating her fortieth birthday. She was many things—both conven- Kaspertional and unconventional—to many people. Her style of dress and the persona she cast could have an edginess to it. But she was also a lawyer, a brilliant woman, who had the ability to study things in minute detail. That ability to focus, and to learn as much as possible about a subject, guided her on a spiritual journey. Along that route she survived cancer twice, beating all odds, confounding her doctors. And Kaity also spoke directly to God, and He to her. continued on page 12

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2 NORTH of the JAMES magazine • November 2018 TABLE of CONTENTS

4 COLUMN Art Fifteenth Annual Ginter Park Show At LGRA; Art Clearance Sale at Studio Art 1229; New Works by R. Sawan White at Eric Schindler Gallery 6 FEATURE The Weekend Backpack Ministry So No Kid Goes Hungry A local Northside congregation decided to guarantee that children would have enough food to tide them over on weekends. Ginter Park Baptist Church partnered with Ginter Park Elementary School and created The Weekend Backpack Ministry. 8 RENEWAL Restoring the Old Bellevue Theater Bill Thomas, one of the newest members of the Bellevue Civic Association, and a Chart a course to Richmond’s trustee for the old Bellevue Theater on behalf of Samis Grotto, is spearheading an effort to restore The Bellevue Theater to its former glory. 10 COLUMN Seasonal Offerings finest family neighborhood restaurant 14th Annual Christmas on MacArthur to Benefit Toys for Tots; Concert Ballet of Virginia’s 43rd Performance of The Nutcracker in the heart of Bellevue 12 COVER STORY Kaity Kasper Blazing into the Good Night Monday through Saturday: 11am till closing* Kaity Kasper died on October 23, five days after celebrating her fortieth birthday. She was many things—both conventional and unconventional—to many people. Sunday: 10am till closing* Her style of dress and the persona she cast could have an edginess to it. But she was Join us early for brunch also a lawyer, a brilliant woman, who had the ability to study things in minute detail. That ability to focus, and to learn as much as possible about a subject, guided her *limited menu after 10 pm on a spiritual journey. Along that route she survived cancer twice, beating all odds, confounding her doctors. And Kaity also spoke directly to God, and He to her. 16 HIDDEN HISTORIES The Worst of the Supremes Your Family Friendly Neighborhood Restaurant Here, for your historical consideration, are the five worst justices in the Supreme Court’s history, based on their personal life, their legal decisions, and the overall negative impact their existence has had on our nation. Join Us for Happy Hour Specials 3-6pm, Mon-Fri 20 WHAT’S NEW Gallo Blanco Rustic Flatbreads on MacArthur 1217 Bellevue Avenue • 266-4403 It’s an esteemed spot on the southeast corner of Once Upon a Vine’s parking lot on MacArthur Avenue, a spot synonymous in Northside with fine dining at a reasonable price. And that tradition continues today with Mike McGrath’s Gallo Blanco: Rustic Flatbreads. 22 BOOK REVIEW Beyond Life Lies Kate Bowler was a 35-year old Duke Divinity School professor with a new baby when she discovered she had stage IV colon cancer. Instantly her world was turned upside down. How could this happen to her? What was the reason for this? ClassicTouch COVER PHOTOGRAPH by REBECCA D’ANGELO Cleaning Simplifying Lives

R One House At a Time! editor/publisher Independently owned and operated. CHARLES G. MCGUIGAN ® NORTH of the JAMES magazine is published art director every month. Letters to the editor are welcome, DOUG DOBEY ® at Dobey Design but become the property of NORTH of the JAMES contributing writers magazine. Letters may be edited for clarity and DALE M BRUMFIELD length. Although we invite unsolicited manuscripts, BRIAN BURNS we cannot be accountable for their return. The ORION HUGHES publisher is not responsible for errors. Copyright Residential Cleaning JACK R JOHNSON 2018© by NORTH of the JAMES magazine®. All rights ANDREW CHURCHER reserved. Views and opinions by our writers do not 1229 Bellevue Avenue ANNE JONES necessarily represent those of NORTH of the JAMES CATHERINE MCGUIGAN magazine®. NORTH of the JAMES magazine® is not Richmond, VA 23227 responsible for claims made by our advertisers. JUDD PROCTOR FRAN WITHROW (804) 262-6979 For media kits and ad rate information, write or call: contributing photographers ® E-mail: [email protected] REBECCA D’ANGELO NORTH OF THE JAMES MAGAZINE editorial: [email protected] PO Box 9225 Website: www.classictouchcleaning.com advertising: [email protected] Richmond, VA 23227 (804) 218-5265 www.northofthejames.com November 2018 • NORTH of the JAMES magazine 3 ARTS

15TH ANNUAL The Ginter Park Show At LGRA Common

Wonderful food, best Quiet Wonderfulbrunch in Richmond. food, best brunch – Urban in SpoonRichmond. Works by – Urban Spoon R. Sawan White Serving locally farmed produce, poultry, and At Eric Schindler Servingmeat with locally vegetarian, farmed Gallery produce,vegan, & poultry, gluten free and It’s become a Northside tradition. The perfect venue for holiday shopping meatoptions with available.vegetarian, 15th Annual Ginter Park Show to be where you can purchase a one-of-a- held December 1 from 10 till 5 at kind gift for a one-of-a-kind friend Wonderfulvegan, & glutenfood, best free Lewis Ginter Recreation Association or family member. This event is free OPEN 11am -10pm Mon-Fri will include the work of more than and open to the public. A Goatocado brunch9am - 10pmin Richmond. Sat & Sun options – Urban Spoon available. 50 artisans. Featured works include food truck will be on site. DINE IN • TAKE OUT pottery, jewelry, fiber, oil paintings, For more information, contact Diana wood and other media. This is the Vicenti at [email protected] OPENServingOPEN 11amDELIVERY 11am-10pm locally -10pm farmedMon-Fri Mon-Fri produce,9am9am-10pm - 10pm poultry, Sat Sat & & Sun Sun and meatENJOY with BRUNCH vegetarian, DINEvegan, IN & • gluten TAKE freeOUT DINESat & INSun • 10am-2pmTAKE OUT optionsDELIVERY available. Weekly Specials: OPENENJOY 11am -10pmBRUNCH Mon-Fri Sat Sun & • Specialty Sun 9am-2pm Burgers 9am - 10pm5pm - close Sat & Sun ENJOY BRUNCH NEW EXHIBIT BY DINE Mon •IN Vegetarian • TAKE & Vegan OUT SatWeekly & SpecialsSun Specials:10am-2pm all day R. Sawan White Tues • FamilyDELIVERY Style Pasta Night called “the common Sun • Specialty Burgers quiet” opens No- 6pm - close 5pm-close vember 16 at Eric WWed • Wing it Wednesday w/ Weekly Specials: Schindler Gallery. Mon •$5 Vegetarian wing specials & Vegan ENJOY Sun • Specialty BRUNCH Burgers HappySpecials Hour • Mon all day- Fri 3-6pm AOf her own work, the Rhode Island Sat & Sun5pm 10am-2pm- close based artist says, “I spend a lot of my Tues • Family Style Pasta Night time thinking about the unseen. It is Mon • Vegetarian & Vegan a place I like to dwell. My paintings LocatedWeekly 6pm-closein Richmond, Specials: VA's historicSpecials Bellevue all dayDistrict at and prints explore this. They are about TuesWed Sun • Family• Wing• Specialty Style it Wednesday PastaBurgers Night many things, places, people (nouns, I 4023with $55pmMacArthur wing - close specials Ave suppose). They are my processing of Mon • Vegetarian6pm - close & Vegan life. Many people keep a diary or jour- (804)HappyWWed • WingHourSpecials 716-1196 it• Mon-FriWednesday all day 3-7pm w/ nal; I have never been good at that. But www.themillrva.comTues • Family Style Pasta Night the paintings—they are a record of my $5 wing specials living. I record in color and line, tex- 6pm - close HappyLocated Hour in Richmond• Mon - Fri 3-6pm VA’s ture and form. I believe we as people WWed • Wing it Wednesday w/ historic Bellevue District at are many things. That we are formed $5 wing specials and known and in turn desire to do the Happy4023 Hour MacArthur • Mon - Fri 3-6pm same. We were made to seek beauty, Art Clearance Sale At Studio Art 1229 Located in Richmond, VA's Avenue justice, truth, things unseen, and to Studio Art 1229 will be holding its sec- more paintings to be painted next make them visible through our lives.” historicLocated Bellevue in Richmond, District VA's at ond annual Art Clearance Sale from year,” says Studio Art 1229 owner, historic4023 Bellevue MacArthur District Ave at Opening reception is from 7-9pm 10-4 on Saturday, November 17. Last Brenda Stankus, who is also an artist. 804 716 1196 November 16. Show runs through year, the 20 painters exhibiting their “These are all original works in a va- 4023 MacArthur Ave December 22. work sold 66 paintings by noon. These riety of mediums. A win-win for both (804) 716-1196 Eric Schindler Gallery, artists will be offering recently painted the painters and the buyers.” www.themillrva.com(804) 716-1196 2305 East Broad Street, work they did not sell this past year. Studio Art 1229, www.themillrva.com Richmond, VA 23223 “The idea of the sale is to sell the paint- 1229 Bellevue Avenue, Richmond, VA (804) 644-5005 ings, all at low prices to make way for 23227. (804) 262-6979

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November 2018 • NORTH of the JAMES magazine 5 FEATURE Weekend Backpack Ministry So No Kid Goes Hungry by CHARLES MCGUIGAN

S CONGRESSIONAL fruit, oatmeal, breakfast bars, apple Republicans were juice, peanut butter, a sleeve of crack- trying to take food ers, fruit juice, mac and cheese, ap- from the mouths of ple sauce, water, Hormel little entrée, children, Virginia chocolate milk, chicken soup, a can First Lady Dorothy of vegetables, chips, and microwaved McAuliffe worked popcorn,” says Keene. “This menu diligently to ensure that kids in the has been looked at by the school, by ACommonwealth from low-income the principal and community coor- families would be fed before and dinator and they agree with us that during school, five days a week. these are good foods for the kids to “We cannot have 13 million hun- have so we try to keep the food as nu- gry children in the United States tritious as possible. And with things of America,” she famously said. “It like peanut butter, we send the big- doesn’t need to be that way. We have gest jar we can find so the kids can enough food to feed ourselves and share this with their family.” the world.” Thanks to her, the num- It’s seems unimaginable in a country ber of public schools in Virginia now where the average salary of an S&P offering universal free breakfast and 500 CEO is $12 million a year, that lunch has increased by more than any child would ever go hungry. But 300 percent. they do. The former First Lady began her “We don’t know the hunger that they campaign five years ago, at about the know,” Keene says. “They are not same time a local Northside con- aware once they leave school wheth- Backpack Ministry volunteers unload bags of food at Ginter Park Elementary gregation decided to guarantee that er there’s going to be a meal for them with Krystle Cook, the school’s community coordinator. This program ensures 36 children would have enough food to or not. So we are trying to provide students eat over the weekend. tide them over on weekends. Ginter those meals for over the weekend Park Baptist Church partnered with when they’re not in school and they Ginter Park Elementary School and don’t have their breakfast and they ”This backpack program is church Gonzalez, another school employee, created The Weekend Backpack don’t have their lunch.” wide,” Keene says. “Everybody’s got rolled out two large, double-tiered Ministry. Each bag contains about $15 worth of a little piece in this program. We all carts. And then four congregants take turns shopping and delivering from Ginter Park Baptist Church— These days grocery bags have re- groceries, which is roughly $570 for a the bags to the school.” Dixie Leathers, Ann Keller, and Paul placed the backpacks for practical year’s worth of food per student. Not and Keene Irwin—piled out of the reasons. “We started with backpacks, much really when you consider this At this point, the church is only able minivan, opened the back doors, but keeping up with whose backpack can stave off hunger through every to supply 36 bags of groceries each sprung open the hatchback, and be- belonged to who and trying to get weekend of the year for one child. week, though the principal has in- gan handing off brown paper bags them back from the kids was impos- dicated that the school could use an This Backpack Program keeps all from one volunteer to the next until sible,” says Keene Irwin, lead coordi- additional 25 bags. students anonymous. “Confidential- the bags reached the carts. It was like nator for the backpack ministry. “It ity is important for us, and we real- “That’s part of the reason I’m doing a bucket brigade, but they weren’t was just more efficient for us to do it ize it is for the school,” says Keene. this interview,” says Keene. “I would passing along water to quench with the brown paper bags.” “We want dignity for the families, we like for other people to see the pos- flames, they handed off food to fill Every week for the past five years want confidentiality for the students. sibility of this program. I’m hop- empty bellies. now, the relatively small congrega- The principal and community coor- ing that somebody’s going to read “We don’t want to have to do this,” tion of Ginter Park Baptist Church dinator choose the children that will this article and say, ‘You know that’s Keen says. “We don’t want children (the church has about fifty members) be in the program. We don’t know something I can do too through my to be hungry, but we are thankful that packs up bags of food for students at any of the children.” church or my book club.” we are a positon to be able to do it, Ginter Park Elementary School. “The Every member of this small faith And citywide, there are children in that we have the money, that we have church works in conjunction with community assists with this pro- need at schools where no Backpack the hands, that we have the com- the school to provide thirty-six bags gram. They comply with the instruc- Program exists. munity support. If anyone has any of food every weekend during the tions of Christ to feed the hungry questions about starting a program school year,” Keene says. “And during On a bright and cloudless All Saints and suffer the children. And several or helping us out they can email me summer school we do fifteen bags.” Day, a minivan pulled into the park- years back, this same Baptist Church ing lot of Ginter Park Elementary at [email protected]” Each bag contains contain six meals, bucked the hierarchy by doing what School and parked near the side en- two snacks and five beverages. “An was right when they ordained an trance. Krystle Cook, the school’s example would be cereal, milk, fresh openly gay man as their minister. community coordinator, and Noelia

6 NORTH of the JAMES magazine • November 2018 I DON’T ALWAYS LEAVE NORTHSIDE, BUT WHEN I DO, I HEAD TO...

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November 2018 • NORTH of the JAMES magazine 7 RENEWAL

Shop Handmade. Restoring the Shop Local. Get ready for the holidays with unique gifts and contemporary Old Bellevue Theater designs from fine artisans. by CHARLES MCGUIGAN

The Bellevue Theater is one of two Art Deco theaters in the city of Rich- mond that has yet to undergo any architectural restoration. “This theater in Bellevue was built in the 1930s and we want it to be an integral part of the community and restore it so that it has public uses,” says Bill. “The first thing we want to do is secure loans and grants to restore the façade. We want to begin by making the exterior pre- sentable and appropriate to the original historical and architectural integ- rity of the building itself.” Bill envisions the restored theater to HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE serve the community in a varieties November 23-25 of ways— from the screening of clas- Fri 10-6 Sat, 10-5 Sun 12-4 sic films, to a venue for local theatre and musical events, perhaps, even as “Adopt a Pot” seconds sale Top: Bellevue Theater as it appeared within years of its opening on MacArthur Avenue in Bellevue. a place to host catered affairs. “We’re open to good suggestions,” Bill says. Bottom: The building in its current incarnation as Samis Grotto. “That theater’s had an exciting life, and MAIN STREET LAW we want it to continue, and we want to HIRLEY MACLAINE “We’re trying to create a rebirth for the be an integral part of the community.” building so that it can be an important and her younger brother Unlike other theaters in Richmond, John G LaFratta Warren Beatty saw their landmark in the community,” Bill says. “So we’ve tried to be the catalyst with the old Bellevue Theater has an ex- first motion picture in the tremely wide sidewalk that Bill hopes Criminal Law Art Deco treasure now the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) to encourage a one day will be transformed into a Traffic Violations called Samis Grotto. The sort of piazza. “We’d like to encourage space, at that time called state and national historic landmark with the Bellevue neighborhood be- a festival atmosphere that would lend Estate Planning The Bellevue Theater, was just a few itself to entertainment and restaurant Sshort blocks from their home in the ginning with the area immediately use,” he says. Family Law 3900 Fauquier Avenue. After watch- around the old Bellevue Theater.” EDUCATION: ing that first movie there, the young To that end, Bill recently received a Bill Thomas will make a presentation Shirley MacLaine decided to become letter from VDHR that recommends about the restoration of the theater, as University of Richmond, an actress. well as the historic district designation, TC Williams School of Law, JD the old Bellevue Theater “be eligible for nomination to the National Regis- on November 20 at the next Bellevue And for a number of years, Virginia’s Civic Association meeting (the loca- University of Richmond, Robins version of the Grand Ole Opry, was ter of Historic Places and the Virginia School of Business, MBA Landmarks Register.” tion of that meeting has not yet been broadcast live from The Bellevue determined). “At the same meeting we North Carolina State Theater. After Sunshine Sue retired as This was great news for Bill. “The may also request a presentation by the University, BA host of the show in 1957, the show was first step in order to make us eligible state department of historic resources renamed the New Dominion Barn for certain historic loans, grants and PROF ESSIONA L to explain this important opportunity Dance and its home was moved from tax credits is by having an historic to the community,” says Bill. ASSOCIATIONS AND the Lyric Theater downtown to the district, and this would substantially MEMBERSHIPS: Northside. Among those who per- augment our possibilities for restora- He also thanked long-time devel- Richmond Criminal Bar formed on its stage were Johnny Cash, tion of the theater.” oper Louis Salomonsky for his help Association June Carter, and a very young Willie in engineering this project. “He has been a valuable pro-bono advisor in Virginia Bar Association Nelson. As a matter of fact, the original backdrop of the New Dominion Barn helping us to envision the theater’s Richmond Juvenile Bar Dance stands behind the curtains on endless possibilities and we’re grate- Association the stage at Samis Grotto. ful for his friendship and support,” Bill Thomas says. “The ultimate goal Caroline County Bar Bill Thomas, one of the newest mem- Association of this project is to preserve this im- bers of the Bellevue Civic Associa- portant part of Richmond’s story as tion, and a trustee for the old Bellevue [email protected] we all strive to make Richmond one Theater on behalf of Samis Grotto, is of the most historic and visited des- 804.355.1800 spearheading an effort to restore The tinations in America.” Bellevue Theater to its former glory.

8 NORTH of the JAMES magazine • November 2018 43rd annual Nutcracker

Nov 17 Nutcracker Suite Williamsburg Regional Library Dec 5 Nutcracker Suite Ginter Park Women’s Club Dec 8 and 9 Full Length Nutcracker Monacan High School in Chesterfield Dec 15, 16, Full Length Nutcracker 21, 22 & 23 Atlee High School in Hanover

798-0945 [email protected] www.concertballet.com

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November 2018 • NORTH of the JAMES magazine 9 SEASONAL OFFEREINGS

14th Annual Christmas On MacArthur

Hanover’sBest To Benefit Toys For Tots OME CELEBRATE Waccamaw Tribes, Fall Produce North Side’s prodigious di- and, of course, a visit &Tomatoes versity and experience the from St. Nick. He’ll true spirit of the holidays be listening to kids Pansies, Pumpkins, Gourds, with Christmas on MacAr- Christmas wishes Cornstalks, Hay, Mums, thur, a day packed with fun throughout the day, Apples, Sweet Potatoes for every family in Rich- following the parade. mond. Christmas on MacArthur has Christmas on Mac- Cbecome one of the largest single donors plus Arthur also offers Dutch Kettle & McCutcheon’s in Central Virginia to Toys for Tots— great holiday shop- the U.S. Marine Corps annual toy drive. ping opportunities. Jams, Jellies and Pickles What’s more every toy donated is given More than 65 ven- Montana Gold Breads to a local child in need. Every child do- dors will be on hand nating a toy, which can be dropped off at with their hand- 9592 Chamberlayne Road any of the merchants in Bellevue, is eli- made arts and crafts, Mechanicsville, VA 23116 gible to win one of six brand new bikes! all locally made, one- Appearing live on the MacArthur Av- of-a-kind products, enue stage directly after the parade will which make perfect 569-9005 be The Neons from 12:15-12:30; Laura seasonal gifts. Ann Singh from 12:45 to 1:15; Janet None of this would be 10-7 everyday Martin from 1:30 to 2:00; Fat Spirit possible without the from 2:15 to 2:45; and The MelBays hard work and com- 3:00-3:30. The massive professional mitment of Colonel stage the musical artists perform on David Hudson, Dr. comes courtesy of Main Stage Produc- Nikea Hurt, Holton tions and Lee Johnson, a close friend Elementary, Franklin of Jimmy Tsamouras of Dot’s Back Inn Military Academy, and Demi’s Mediterranean Kitchen. the Bellevue Mer- Christmas on MacArthur kicks off with chants Association, the Santa Parade down the center of the Jimmy and Daniella 4000 block of MacArthur Avenue. Tsamouras of Dot’s SALES Bill Bevins and Jessica Noll, of WTVR Back Inn and Demi’s SERVICE CBS 6, will emcee the parade. Among Mediterranean Kitchen, Mike LaBelle, North of the James magazine, Holton the participants in this year’s parade Chris and Cecelia Rich of Rich’s Stitches, Elementary School and Franklin Mili- are Jonathan the Juggler, students Bob Kocher of Once Upon A Vine, Teri tary Academy. On all bags and accessories with this ad of Holton Elementary and Franklin Phipps and David Schieferstein, Amy If you would like to participate as Mon-Fri, 9-5 | Thurs, 9-6 | Sat, 9-2 Military Academy, Colonel David Foxworthy and Josh Carlton of the mill a vendor, contact Teri Phipps at 7601 Brook Road | 262-9683 Hudson, Dr. Nikea Hurt, John Mar- on MacArthur, Vickie Hall of Stir Crazy, (804)310-7710, or email her Bobby Shore and Rich Richardson of www.cfivacuum.com shall High School marching band, [email protected], but do so im- live alpacas, animal rescue groups, Decatur’s Garage, Joe Stankus of Clas- mediately as space is extremely limited. ACCA Shriners, Richmond police sic Touch Cleaning, Larry Brown, and and firefighters, U.S. Marines, Saint scores of other volunteers too numer- For more information on this event Andrew’s Legion Pipes & Drums, Boy ous to name. contact Charles McGuigan at north- Scouts and Cub Scouts, YMCA Indian [email protected] or at (804)- This event is sponsored each year by 218-5265. Princesses Cayuga and Indian Guides the Bellevue Merchants Association, Concert Ballet of Virginia’s 43rd Performance of The Nutcracker Bellevue’s Full-Service FOR MORE THAN 40 years now Con- ber 18 at Williamsburg Regional Li- Auto Repair for 25 Years cert Ballet of Virginia has presented brary. The full Nutcracker Ballet will Bobby Shore Richmond’s most beloved rendition of be performed at Monacan High School The Nutcracker. Under the guidance in Chesterfield County on December 4031 MacArthur Avenue of Scott Boyer, this classic has become a 9 and 10, and at Atlee High School in Richmond, VA 23227 Richmond holiday tradition. The Nut- Hanover County on December 16. For cracker Suite, an abbreviated 45-minute more information please call (804) 798- (804) 262-7582 version of the ballet perfect for younger 0945 or visit www.concertballet.com or audiences, will be performed Novem- find them on Facebook. 10 NORTH of the JAMES magazine • November 2018 Established 1959 Professional Pet Grooming by The Barking Lot All Breeds Of Dogs And Cats www.fin-feather.com SHOP LOCALLY, BUY LOCALLY!

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November 2018 • NORTH of the JAMES magazine 11 BLAZINGKaity INTO THAT Kasper GOOD NIGHT FOR A FEW YEARS, KAITY KASPER was a permanent fixture at Stir Crazy Café in Bellevue. A notebook, a laptop, several books, pages dogeared or marked with Post-its, surrounded her like friends or associates at the table she sat before. And more often than not, someone would join her and they would talk for hours. But as soon as that person left, Kaity would get back to her reading and her writing and her quest for answers.

SHE HAD AN inimitable style. teen years,” Kaity said two years ago. “And I fully credit him with saving my life that go around. He Some days she dressed in yoga pants and made sure I had the best care possible. I spent the a tank top, other days layered skirts and better part of that year doing chemo and radiation therapy under Dr. Ginder’s supervision. It was stage dresses. Her eyes were a golden brown, 2B Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The diagnosis was at the often concealed behind dark-rimmed end of March, and I finished the radiation the day glasses, and her right arm was a work before Thanksgiving.” of art, and her left arm a relatively blank The cure was utterly complete. “It was scary,” she said. “But I don’t think I ever thought death was on canvas awaiting the careful stippling the table with that one.” and pricking of a tattoo artist’s needles. Kaity, who already had a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Maryland and a master’s from Of her right, highly decorated, arm, Kaity told me, “I Virginia Commonwealth University under her belt, joke about this arm as being a scratch pad of my life.” decided during the treatment to get a degree in law One tattoo featured the billowing petals of ranun- from University of Richmond. Which is exactly what culus and cherry blossoms, three birds, and a New she did. Testament quote. “Ranunculus has always been my Once she passed the bar, Kaity went to work for Han- favorite flower, and cherry blossoms symbolize the cock Daniel, Johnson and Nagle, the firm where she beauty and fragility of human life,” Kaity said. worked the rest of her professional life. She rubbed her right shoulder, and by so doing, Since she was a child, Kaity had a keen sense of the touched the head of an owl. “The owl is for the wis- Divine. She was raised Catholic in East Berlin, Con- dom that we gain from the experiences in our life,” necticut, though her parents weren’t particularly de- she said, and then moved her hand down to her low- vout. “I don’t remember going to church as a family er biceps. “The dove represents the Holy Spirt,” she very often,” Kaity said. “But I do remember there was said. “I feel the Holy Spirit guides me in my decisions this small church you could walk to from our house in the way that I try to lead and live my life.” and I remember taking myself there and I couldn’t Below that was a hummingbird. “He is there for love really figure out why. At an oddly young age I would and laughter and lightness,” Kaity said. And then she go to the self-help section of the library and get these read a passage written on her arm. “It’s half of a quote books out by rabbis and I would lay in the backyard from Jesus,” she said. “The full quote is ‘You do not and underline them in pencil. I was probably twelve realize now what I’m doing, but later you’ll under- or thirteen when I started doing this. I was just inter- stand.’ It’s about those times we don’t know what it ested in what they were saying and what they were is God is doing through us, but when we look back- talking about. It always felt to me like God was doing ward later, we understand.” something here.” Finally, she pointed to a tattoo with three simple Kaity later attended parochial school, and the entire words—“I love you”—in the shallow ditch of her arm student body would file into the adjacent church for where ulna and humerus meet. “That’s where the in- first Friday Mass. “I would always pray while I was fusion site was for my chemo.” she said. there that God would call me to be a nun,” she said. Seventeen years ago, Kaity was diagnosed with can- “I would say, ‘God, that’s what I want to do, please call cer, and fortunately her former husband Evan, a me to be a nun.’ I remember being so disappointed, medical student at the time, was working in the lab and thinking something was so wrong with me be- of Dr. Gordon Ginder, the director of Massie Cancer cause God didn’t want me to be a nun and I couldn’t Center and a leading specialist on lymphomas. figure it out. But I’ve always had, from a very young age, some connection to that, and an unwavering “Dr. Ginder has been my oncologist for the last four- knowing He was there for me.”

by CHARLES MCGUIGAN photos by REBECCA D’ANGELO

12 NORTH of the JAMES magazine • November 2018 Kaity had converted to Judaism, the faith of her for- were many of them—Kaity learned something that in such a way that allows us to tap into the voice of mer husband, and stuck with it for a year after their most of us will never begin to understand. “Regard- the Holy Spirit, Creator, Universe, Source, whatever divorce. Then she tried returning the religion of her less of what other people may do, God is never go- you want to call it,” she said. birth, but that didn’t work. “I felt stalled and I felt like ing to abandon me,” she told me. “God gave me just Two of Kaity’s closest friends—Claire McGowan God kept saying to me, ‘There’s something else that enough support so that I always had food, I always and Mary-Catherine Berry—are sitting at my dining has to break out here, and you’re not going to find it had someone to talk to if I really needed, I always had room table, which is draped in a cloth emblazoned in this cathedral,’” she remembered. “And so I ended the thing that I needed provided for me, but what I with hundreds of Calaveras a la Dia de Muertos. up exploring some other churches throughout Rich- needed was the experience of realizing that I won’t There are skulls and jack-o-lanterns, witches and mond during that time, and that was really when abandon myself, and God won’t abandon me, and mummies, decapitated heads and evil birds, scat- things got a little bit more serious for me.” that’s actually enough. You can get through the worst tered throughout the house, which was decked out About seven five years ago now, Kaity learned what kind of crap, if you know those two things.” for the season three days before Halloween. yoga is really about from instructor Dana Walters. For many cancer patients, doctors administer a CA 125 Like many people, Mary-Catherine and Claire met Ka- “Through her I really started to discover the ways test to monitor the patient’s blood to ensure cancer has ity at Stir Crazy, and they immediately became friends. that yoga can change not just our physical body, not recurred. The normal range in healthy patients is but our spiritual and emotional bodies,” Kaity said. 5 to 20; Kaity’s CA 125 was 208. Through the course “It was like a wild and a passionate love affair,” Mary- “Once I got there, it became really apparent to me of the chemotherapy, though, those levels dropped to Catherine said. “That’s what I’ve told Mike, my hus- that the connection I had been looking for was going between 198 and 134, but they fluctuated within that band.” She smiled when she said this, and then, as to come directly from God.” range after each chemo treatment. One doctor recom- if in explanation, added: “There was a certain raw- mended that Kaity receive chemotherapy for the rest of ness about Kaity, something I’ve always wanted in a Back in March of 2016, Kaity was diagnosed with friend, where you can just say, ‘You hurt my feelings.’ ovarian cancer. her life as long as her body could endure it. This same physician told her the cancer was incurable. That’s probably the last time you’ll ever have to talk “It came completely out of the blue as ovarian cancer about it again. It’s unconditional. And I’ve never had is wont to do,” she said. “I had a partial hysterectomy. But Kaity heard another voice, one that she had be- a relationship like that except in my marriage.” gun to recognize, and it was a real voice. They were able to keep my uterus, but I lost both ova- Claire nodded along, smiling herself. “Kaity had this ries, my fallopian tubes, my appendix, seven lymph “I heard God’s voice, clear as day, say ‘Do not do any hard ass, rock and roll side to her,” she said. “And nodes, the tumors I had developed, and a ton of fluid more chemotherapy, that’s not what you need,’” Ka- then she has these beautiful feathers, and great skirts that had built up over about a month.” ity said. “I am someone who hears a voice that’s not and dresses. And she was a lawyer. And she loved She was enrolled in a clinical trial down at Massie mine when it’s God communicating with me. God dogs. She was real and edgy and sometimes she was Cancer Center, where she had done years of volun- to me is a man. It’s a slightly deeper voice than how cranky. She owned every different aspect of her life. I teer work. It was a grueling chemotherapy, one week I hear my own voice, and it comes from a different just adored her for it.” place. When I hear my own thoughts, they come on, one week off, a total of six rounds, and each bout For the better part of a year, this trio, made up of Ka- left Kaity annihilated. from the brain. When I hear something that’s coming from God, it’s coming from my core.” ity, Mary-Catherine and Claire, would meet weekly The prognosis for her kind of ovarian cancer was for a walk through the neighborhood. not good. So she opted out of chemotherapy. And she prayed to God that her numbers drop by at least five points. A “We had a text thread among the three of us for walks When she returned to her home in Bellevue, she as- month after she stopped treatment, Kaity’s numbers at 4:30,” Claire said. sumed a number of her close friends would be there had dropped from 198 to 68. “Every Tuesday we would do it,” Mary-Catherine for her. But that was not to be the case. Soon thereafter, Kaity embarked on a journey of dis- added. “Super short walks, two blocks, two blocks, “God created this situation where I was forced to be covery with the hope of bringing back secrets that two blocks and two blocks.” alone with him in this,” Kaity said. “God could not would help others heal themselves. It was as if God Mary-Catherine remembers what Kaity said during have done the work that he needed and wanted to do had plucked her for this purpose. “I think what He one of those walks when Claire, who had broken her with me in this space, if I was not alone.” wants me to do is to bring this stuff back and through foot, was absent. writing and speaking and working with people one- During those dark nights of the soul—and there “I like how open and honest you are about how on-one to help people learn how we can walk in faith November 2018 • NORTH of the JAMES magazine 13 freaking hard motherhood is, and that over again, ‘I don’t want to die.’” it’s not your end-all, be-all,” Kaity said. “The timing couldn’t have been Later, Mary-Catherine’s son, Jonah, worse,” Claire said. “She didn’t even get took Kaity’s hand, and wandered off to fulfill the dream she had, the thing with her. she wanted to do. I mean she had eve- “Hey Kaity Kaspaw, do you like cof- rything set up.” fee?” he asked. One day as she was driving, Kaity heard “Yes, I do,” said Kaity. the voice of God. As plain as day, she heard these words: “Don’t do chemo.” “I know this great little coffee shop around the corner. Let’s get you a coffee.” Kaity wanted to try other protocols, though nothing seemed to work. “She Stir Crazy was already closed, and Jo- couldn’t level out,” said Mary-Cath- nah had no money anyhow. erine. “The swelling got worse and “Jonah loved her,” Mary-Catherine worse and worse. They took eight lit- said. “He connected with her imme- ers of fluid out of her stomach every diately. He still prays for her because I seven days.” haven’t told him that she’s died. ‘Dear By then, Kaity had moved to Ohio Gawd,’ he says. ‘Please heal Kaity Kas- where she lived with friends on a farm. paw. Thanks for everything, Jonah.’” Mary-Catherine Berry and Claire McGowan reminisce about their friend. She had taken her dog, Hope, with her, This past summer, Kaity decided to and she took multivitamins, followed do something she had been planning a very regimented diet, and fully ex- to do for quite some time. “She want- on the planet in Charlottesville, and her leg anymore,” Mary-Catherine pected to recover. There was also coffee ed to open an Ayurveda (a system of then she had her very own shop.” said. “And then another friend of hers shop out there that Kaity frequented. medicine with its roots in the Indian But it was never to be. from Richmond said, ‘You’ve got to “And that’s when the vomiting started,” subcontinent) clinic,” said Mary-Cath- see the oncologist, the cancer is back.’ Mary-Catherine said. “She couldn’t erine. “So she was like, ‘I’m going to The day after she moved to Charlottes- Kaity didn’t want to know that the keep anything down; she would vomit do this in Charlottesville.’ She ended ville, Kaity’s right leg began to swell. cancer was back. Kaity was terrified of for twenty-four hours every day. And up with the most gorgeous apartment “A week goes by and she can’t move dying, and she said over and over and then she couldn’t walk at all. She vom-

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14 NORTH of the JAMES magazine • November 2018 ited every time she moved.” a distant memory. This is not your Ultimately, she moved herself to Bos- new forever. This is a right now, and a ton where her stepmom and stepdad sh**ty one, too.” lived. She finally started chemotherapy. One of the last messages she received “She didn’t take well to the chemo,” ac- from Kaity, read, “Sorry things are cording to Mary-Catherine. “By then, nuts here. I love you. Let’s talk this the cancer had spread to all of her or- weekend for sure.” gans. She went to hospice on a Saturday It was sent four days before Kaity gave Tuesday-Friday 11am-11pm morning, and died early Tuesday AM.” up the ghost. Saturday 5pm-11pm, Sunday 9am-3pm The day before, Kaity’s brother, Tyler, “This has really shaken me,” said had called Mary-Catherine. “He had Claire. “It should be a reminder that called me at work on Monday and we have no guarantees in our life.” Lunch, Dinner said, ‘I just wanted to let you know Claire and Mary-Catherine are plan- she’s no longer with us, but her body’s ning to set up a scholarship fund sim- Sunday Brunch still here,’” Mary-Catherine recalled. ply called The Kasper Fund, to award Mary-Catherine picked up her cell- monies to those who wish to study To-Go Orders phone as we sat at the table, remem- Ayurveda. And sometime this spring bering Kaity Kasper. Shf began scroll- or summer there will be a memo- ing through messages from Kaity, a rial service to celebrate the life of Kaity 6010 Hermitage Road diary of what was happening in those Kasper. Richmond, VA 23228 last days of her life. “I believe there are doorways we are Mary-Catherine began to read. “She supposed to pass through,” Mary- said, ‘Tell everybody at the coffee Catherine Berry said. “Sometimes, hobnobrva.com shop, that I’m doing great.’ And then when I’m driving in my minivan, Ka- she says, ‘This will end, right?’ And I ity’s sitting next to me. I just stare at 804.264.7400 say, ‘Oh yes, and in the better of two her. I haven’t talked to her yet.” ways. You and I will porch sit together “I’ve been talking to her,” Claire with wine, and this will fade away into McGowan said. FREE CUP of coffee with purchase of a biscuit & this coupon

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November 2018 • NORTH of the JAMES magazine 15 HIDDEN HISTORIES The Worst of the Supremes by JACK R JOHNSON

ESPITE AN adolescence filled with drunken de- bauchery, topped off with at least one at- tempted rape charge, Brett Kavanaugh may not be the worst Supreme Justice ever Dconfirmed to that august institution. In fact, he may not even make the top five. Here, for your historical consideration, are the five worst justices in the Supreme Court’s history, based on their personal life, their legal decisions, and the overall negative impact their existence has had on our nation. CHIEF JUSTICE ROGER B TANEY According to Ian Millhiser’s “Injus- tices: The Supreme Court’s History of Comforting the Comforted and Afflicting the Afflicted,” one of the worst Supreme Court justices ever was Chief Justice Roger B. Taney. It would be journalistic malpractice to exempt JUSTICE ots in our current congress; and mildly and walk out of the Courtroom. When Taney from the list of poorest justices STEPHEN JOHNSON FIELD insane with regard to everyone else. Charles Hamilton Houston, the Har- for one very important reason—h e is vard-educated black attorney argued Next of our worst Supremes is Justice Ste- JUSTICE the author of the worst decision ever before the Supreme Court, McReyn- phen Johnson Field. On a personal ethi- JAMES CLARK MCREYNOLDS handed down the by the U.S. Supreme olds turned his back on the Courtroom cal level, Field was probably worse than Court: Dredd Scott. McReynolds was, in Time magazine’s to signal his disapproval. McReynolds Taney, but his decisions were not as far once warned one of his law clerks, who Taney’s opinion seemed to be driven words, “a savagely sarcastic, incredibly reaching, nationally. As a sitting justice had grown close with Harry Parker, that by a motivation to end the question reactionary Puritan anti-Semite.” Addi- in 1880, Justice Stephen Johnson Field the clerk “seem[ed] to forget that [Park- of slavery once and for all—by rul- tionally, McReynolds was just pure lazy. launched a dark horse bid for the Dem- er] is a negro.” He advised the clerk to ing in favor of the shameful practice. He often would not even open the briefs ocratic Party’s presidential nomination. “think of my wishes in this matter in In the opinion, he took an originalist lawyers filed to prepare him to hear Claiming that “the chilling shadow of a case until hours before the case was your future relations with the darkies.” approach to the question of whether the empire” was descending upon the Dred Scott became a free man once argued, and he frequently spent just a After Justice Louis Brandeis, the first United States, Field fronted an anti-gov- few hours crafting opinions that would his “owners” brought him into a free ernment campaign that, according to Jewish Supreme Court justice was con- state. The most quoted passage from govern all other courts in the coun- firmed, McReynolds refused to speak to Millhiser, would “make all but the most try. McReynolds was nasty. He labeled the incredibly lengthy opinion? When strident modern day tea partiers blush.” him for three years. When Mc-Reyn- discussing the founders’ view of “that President Franklin Roosevelt “that crip- olds died in a hospital in 1946, some A rabid conservative, Field joined pled son-of-a-bitch . . . in the White unfortunate race,” Taney noted: the Court’s pro-segregation decision reports say that he had no friends or House,” and shunned his own nephew relatives nearby, and no Supreme Court “They had for more than a century be- in Plessy v. Ferguson, and he authored after the boy woke him up by playing justices attended his funeral. fore been regarded as beings of an infe- another opinion permitting former jazz music on the radio. McReynolds Confederate officials to practice law in rior order, and altogether unfit to asso- was a petty tyrant. He ordered his staff JUSTICE SAMUEL CHASE ciate with the white race, either in social federal court. Like modern day conserv- never to smoke tobacco even on their or political relations; and so far inferior, atives on the far right, he railed against free time, and dictated where they were It would be a major oversight not to that they had no rights which the white anything smacking of government allowed to live. According to Millhiser, include Justice Samuel Chase because man was bound to respect; and that the power to enact economic or business during his frequent duck hunting trips, he was the only Supreme Court justice negro might justly and lawfully be re- regulations. After Congress enacted a Justice McReynolds would “bring along to ever be impeached. Was he corrupt? duced to slavery for his benefit.” modest income tax on upper-income his longtime servant Harry Parker, and Not really, but he was, according to the earners, Field complained that it was an Professor Bernard Schwartz’s “A Book His opinion also invalidated the Mis- he would order Parker to wade through “assault upon capital” which “will be but of Legal Lists,” a shamelessly partisan souri Compromise, even though the ice-cold water to retrieve the fallen ani- the stepping-stone to others, larger and judge, who let his Federalist leanings Court admitted that it had no juris- mals in lieu of a bird dog.” more sweeping, till our political contests openly influence his judicial decisions diction to hear the case, since Scott will become a war of the poor against As you might guess, McReynolds was and conduct on the bench. He may very was not a citizen. The ignominious the rich; a war constantly growing in a raging sexist, and bigot. On the rare well be a harbinger of what we can ex- ruling swept far beyond the question intensity and bitterness.” A statement occasions when a woman argued a case pect from the unsolicited ramblings of presented in that case to offer a philo- that sounds frighteningly prescient with before McReynolds’s Court, the justice Brett Kavanaugh. Chase would bemoan sophic defense of white supremacy regard to the anti social-safety net zeal- would exclaim “I see the female is here” President Thomas Jefferson’s policies and chattel slavery.

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November 2018 • NORTH of the JAMES magazine 17 Welcome to a World of Wine and Beer

from the bench, and when he presided over trials brought under the Sedition Act of 1798, it was said that his “performance as a judge was almost indistin- guishable from that of the prosecution.” Chase’s partisan activities eventually led to his impeachment, although the Senate, mindful of the importance of an independent judiciary, voted to ac- quit the justice. JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS Like Kavanaugh, Thomas was con- firmed to the Supreme Court under the cloud of alleged unethical behavior. Unfortunately, his actions on the court have only served to confirm these original suspicions. His wife remains UPCOMING EVENTS publically involved in deeply partisan conservatives causes; some of which have come before the Supreme Court, November 21, 4pm - 7pm but Thomas has refused to recuse himself. In fact, seventy-four members of Wine Tasting Congress signed a letter asking Justice for your Thanksgiving dinner Clarence Thomas to recuse himself from any ruling on the Affordable Care Act because of his wife’s work as a conservative activist and lobbyist, December 8, 11am - 4pm where she specifically agitated for the repeal of “Obamacare.” Our 14th annual Thomas refused. He has also made a questionable deci- CHRISTMAS ON MACARTHUR and sion not to report more than $500,000 in earnings from conservative groups Toys for Tots Drive and Parade which his wife earned. His response that “he didn’t understand how they were supposed to filed” is risible. December 21, 5pm - 8pm But even beyond these obvious ethi- cal lapses, his legal decisions illuminate Wine Tasting a distinctly partisan bias, coupled with pure laziness. He is the only current for your Christmas dinner member of the Supreme Court who has explicitly embraced the reasoning of Lochner Era decisions striking down December 28, 5pm - 8pm nationwide child labor laws and making similar attacks on federal power. Indeed, New Years Champagne Tasting under the logic Thomas first laid out in A sparkling time for everyone a concurring opinion in United States v. Lopez, the federal minimum wage, over- time rules, anti-discrimination protec- tions for workers, and even the national ban on whites-only lunch counters are all unconstitutional. These antiquated decisions don’t read as well thought out legal 4009 MACARTHUR AVENUE • RICHMOND briefs, but rather, as if they are boiler plate recitations of the GOP stances on the 804 726 WINE (9463) American political landscapes. In closing, remember that even Open 7 days a week though Brett Kavanaugh might be a vapidly partisan, overly privileged, al- Sunday - Thursday 11am - 9pm, Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm leged rapist wannabe, he will need to up his game if he wants to be one of [email protected] the worst Justices on the United States Supreme Court. The competition is Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter stiff. Although, we must admit, he ap- pears to be off to a good start.

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November 2018 • NORTH of the JAMES magazine 19 WHAT’S NEW Gallo Blanco On MacArthur by CHARLES MCGUIGAN

T’S AN ESTEEMED SPOT on the southeast corner of Once Upon a Vine’s parking lot on MacArthur Avenue, a spot synonymous in Northside with fine dining at a reasonable price. And that tradition continues today with Mike McGrath’s Gallo IBlanco: Rustic Flatbreads. Not long after Bob Kocher opened the wine and beer shop back in 2004, he leased that portion of his property to Jamie Dickerson who opened a lunch wagon there called Jazzbo’s Rollin’ Gumbo, which he ran until his death. Later, there was Bob Harr Monday - Friday who gave us Ginter Parked. The food at both places was exceptional, and 7am - 5pm reasonably price. Over the years, Mike has honed his Saturday - Sunday skills in the back of the house. While attending college at Coastal Carolina 7:30am - 5pm University, he worked his share of bars and restaurants in nearby Myrtle Beach. Later, in Steamboat Springs, Mike McGrath with wife Shae, and Colorado he managed a kitchen called daughter Maisy in front of Gallo Now Offering Breakfast and the Tap House. He spent four years at Blanco. The Grill on Patterson Avenue. “And Lunch Catering, and Space Rental I’ve worked at various other places in On Saturday and Sunday Mike and the city,” he says. his staff also serve breakfast flat- Contact Stephanie at Mike had been toying with the breads for both meat lovers and veg- idea of a food truck for some time. etarians. “We have gluten free crusts [email protected] He bought an old ice cream truck, for those who want it,” he says. tricked it out with a kitchen, a new Now that cooler weather is here, Gal- or 804 864 0264 service window (that he pried off of lo Blanco is also offering soups. “We an old RV in a junkyard), a double- did a chipotle sweet potato with gar- tier pizza oven, and painted it all a lic toast for five dollars,” says Mike. Join Us For glossy black. Mike is already looking ahead to “With food trucks you need to able spring, when Gallo Blanco will fea- Third Thursday Music Nights! to be fast because people will only ture a variety of salads. “Again, eve- wait a certain amount of time,” says rything will be fresh and local,” Mike Mike. “Nothing performs like the ce- McGrath says. “That’s the key to ramic oven. We keep it at about 500 great meals.” 804 864 0264 degrees and we can do six at a time.” Gallo Blanco: Rustic Flatbreads Since a soft opening on September Tues-Fri 4-8; Sat 11-8; Sun 11-4 [email protected] 15, Gallo Blanco has already be- Parking lot of Once Upon A Vine come a neighborhood hit. “Two of 4009 MacArthur Avenue our most popular flatbreads are the Richmond, VA 23227 natural sausage that we smoke our- (804) 387-7187 selves, and the smoked pork with the pickled onions, that we pickle,” Mike says. “And the Margherita is extremely popular. It’s vegetarian with all fresh produce—tomatoes and basil. We buy all our vegetables from local farmers’ markets.”

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by FRAN WITHROW

ATE BOWLER WAS a 35-year old Duke Di- vinity School professor with a new baby when she discovered she had stage IV colon cancer. Instantly her world was turned upside down. How could this Khappen to her? What was the reason for this? Bowler grew up steeped in the Chris- tian faith, marrying her teenage Mennonite sweetheart and believing that God wanted nothing but bless- ings for her. Where’s the blessing in stage IV cancer that has no cure? Bowler ponders these unanswerable questions in an appealing, engaging way in this elegant book. While her Christianity informs her thinking, it This is a lie she no longer believes. So is lightly applied, and I did not find what can she believe? it to be an obstacle. I found much to Bowler is accepted into an experimen- love in this beautiful foray into what tal treatment program that is currently it means to relish life while also fac- keeping her cancer at bay. And though COME DANCE WITH US! ing mortality. she knows her cancer is incurable, she This book could easily be a very de- discovers she can still find ways to live pressing one, but Bowler’s writing is life fully, to laugh, to swear, to wonder, cheerful, upbeat, and often humorous. to try to make sense of this beautiful, Trying to find the cause for a previous glorious, irrational world we inhabit. health issue, she visits dozens of doc- In a life that is full of uncertainty, tors who don’t know what is wrong. Bowler probes for answers, for as- “…I was beginning to feel like an in- surances. Instead, she finds love eve- secure girlfriend: Just tell me what’s rywhere. She is reminded to live for wrong with me. Is it me? It’s me, isn’t today. A wise friend gives her the best it?” I never expected to laugh out loud counsel: “Don’t skip to the end.” while reading a memoir about cancer, I read this moving, exquisite book but her cheery writing is charming twice and found it sensitive, pen- and heartfelt. etrating, and thought provoking both There is, of course, a bittersweet qual- times. Bowler exposes the dichoto- ity, a sorrow over life that will be cut mies of life: hard, sad, funny, glori- short throughout this book. The ous. Exceptional writing, keen obser- poignancy of her condition is laid out vations, and contemplations about subtly, the ache of leaving her beloved what it means to be alive make this a son and husband just under the sur- memoir to buy and keep on the shelf. (Natalie and Audrey) at face. She holds her baby in her arms Bowler reminds us to treasure each and thinks, “I am dying. I am my son’s day, each life, even though we have no first goodbye.” idea why things happen, or how long SCOTT BOYER TEACHES DANCE But this is not just another memoir we have. about cancer. Bowler’s musings about And that is worth reading about. Ages 3 to adult, priced from $210. the meaning of life and the place of Everything Happens for a Reason: faith in her world are worth studying. And Other Lies I’ve Loved She was raised to believe that God is by Kate Bowler 804-798-9364 fair; that though there might be hard- 208 pages ships in this world, ultimately bless- Random House [email protected] ings will rain down on God’s people. $26.00

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