I find it absolutely sinful that I have allowed myself to go this long without writing, so pardon my scattered train of thought. It's taken me a few months now to realize how imperative self-expression is to the maintenance of my mental health. I've never been one to be idle, so I've got to keep the wheels turning as long as there's still juice to get them going.
Lately I've been in somewhat of a rut, caught between utter instability and monotonous repetition. I can't decide on which side I'd like my life to fall. On one hand, I'm obsessed with routine and get very perturbed at the prospect of losing it. On the flip side, I'd love to have some excitement in my life. I need the thrill of new things and people and smells and experiences. The thought of wasting the day is terrifying. I've shattered my self confidence with a veil of guilt that clouds my judgment and keeps me from really experiencing things the way I need to.
Consequently, I've decided to set some realistic goals for myself. I've always done well with lists, so we'll go with that. I'm making a list of the things I'd like to accomplish and feel could contribute to the sense of reality I've been desperately clawing at but has nonetheless remained just out of reach.

1. Be more friendly. Stop opting to eat alone because I hate small talk. Be interested in what my co-workers and friends have to say and make an effort to get involved in their lives.  
2. Stick to a workout schedule. Set aside at least 4 days a week and stick to them.
3. Stop drinking as often.
4. Write something original every day. Even if it's just one sentence.
5. Continue involvement at the barn. Putting the time in now will pay off later.
6. Plan out my meals for the week and shop on Sunday for what I need to do that.
7. Save more money
8. Stop opting to stay home alone just because the bars aren't appealing. There ARE other things to do beside drink or sit in bed. Find something new and different.

Vudu Café & Lounge

By Leah Skye

            For the past fifteen years, the eclectic, Creole-themed Vudu Café and Lounge (formerly the High Street Café) has dominated and helped develop the downtown West Chester culinary scene.

            Do you Vudu? Whether it’s the carnival masks, dangling Mardi Gras beads, delectable cuisine, or soulful jazz emanating through the room, this restaurant has patrons feeling as if they’ve been transported from suburban Pennsylvania to thriving Bourbon Street within seconds of arriving.

            With pictures of jazz icons and unique Louisiana-themed artifacts plastering the walls, the Vudu Lounge has turned a small space into an intimate yet spacious dining haven. The seating area located along the wall is elevated for extra depth and the dim lighting is just enough to relax the mood while still allowing visibility of their extensive menu.

            in 1996, owner Donnie Syracuse teamed up with executive chef Jay Wenner and the duo concocted an establishment that was a fusion of rock and Cajun cuisine that helped put West Chester on the map as a great culinary destination in the Philadelphia area. Wenner was working as a sauté chef at the New Orleans Café in Ridley at the time, which Syracuse said helped inspire their booming restaurant that has been doing consistently well since.

            “There was nothing here when we started” Syracuse said. “It was just us, Amore Pizzeria, and another place that was on its way out. I’d like to think we helped build the popular food scene in West Chester. Now we’re doing better than ever.” West Chester is now a hot spot for restaurant connoisseurs of all shapes and sizes and the Vudu Lounge has become a must-see destination for many passing through.

            They have recently remodeled and changed names, but the food and atmosphere remain consistent and restaurant goers can’t seem to get enough of it. Syracuse prides himself on the large number of returning customers, but also makes strides to acquire new demographics. They have added a 14 seat granite bar and extended their hours of operation to accommodate crowds of all types.

            The Vudu Lounge’s success has not gone unrecognized. They won “Best of Philly” in 1999 and were selected as “Best of the Main Line for Cajun & Creole” for the past 10 years. They have also been recognized by the Zagat review posting, consistently receiving 27 out of 30 points annually.  

            Upon entry, one is welcomed by a warm and funky deep purple Henrix-esque décor.  Whether in search of an exotic meal like blackened alligator, ostrich, and kangaroo or a finely crafted beer or martini, the Vudu Lounge welcomes all. The intimate space can accommodate up to 200 people in an evening. They have also added railings and retractable awnings along Dean St. for additional outdoor seating during the warmer seasons.

            Syracuse spent his youth touring in a rock band, opening for Bon Jovi with his band Arcade (Cinderella and Ratt). He described this period as ‘the best time of his life’ and said he couldn’t think of a better way to have spent his 20’s. This helped inspire the rock and roll vibe, and also is why artists such as Poison, G Love and Special Sauce, and The Black Crowes have been known to stop by when they’re in town.

They offer a menu unlike any other in town featuring exotic, Creole/Cajun style dishes. Whether you fancy jambalaya, coconut shrimp, crawfish, or a good ol’ po’boy, the Vudu Lounge has something to satisfy many palates. Syracuse said “The thing that sets us apart is the flavor of our dishes. Anyone can cook a piece of meat or fish, but it’s the sauces that are the hard part. It’s knowing how to mix and the French influence which makes everything we have different. The food speaks for itself.”

They are best known for their spices, but the menu also includes multiple dishes for those who are not fans of intense heat. Anyone who wants to take the Vudu Lounge's flavors to their own kitchen can purchase some of Chef Wenner’s famous spice mixes either online or on location.

The staff prides themselves on a personal and attentive manner when dealing with customers. The team consists of knowledgeable and friendly West Chester University students and veteran servers alike who say they are happy to answer any questions or recommend a dish or drink.

If you’re in the mood for a cold beer, Vudu Lounge proves itself as a compelling choice. On tap, they offer six local craft beers including Victory Lager, Stoudt’s “Fat Dog Stout Reserve, Racer 5, Twin Lakes IPA, Stevens Point Einbach, and Starpoint (Brooklyn) IPA. They also have 50 types of beer by the bottle including Abita, Guinness, Yardís, Flying Fish, Stella Artois, and many others. Cocktails leave nothing to be desired, with an extensive list of creative martinis and mixed drinks. You could go for the  Panty Dropper, which consists of Grey Goose Vodka, Canella Prosecco and a splash of Chambord , or the Desperate Housewife, which is Stoli O Vodka, champagne and passion fruit, to name a few.

They also have a variety of finger foods served until 1 a.m. and craft take-out beer to satisfy the late-night cravings and bring in a younger college crowd. They have recently begun a pick-your-own beer six pack being served up until 2 a.m. that will allow customers to take home the divine taste of local and international brews without ever hitting a liquor store.

The music adds an entirely new element of fun and diversity to the already booming atmosphere. You’re likely to come across some of the area’s best Cuban jazz, blues, and piano playing musicians performing live from Wednesday to Sunday, including Mr. Syracuse himself, to set the mood and serenade diners. The restaurant’s website (http://www.highstreetcaffe.com/) offers a full list of performers weekly so patrons can plan their outings around who they want to come see. Even during times when there is no live performing, one is likely to hear the timeless music of Dizzy Gillespie or Stevie Ray Vaughan blasting through the stereo to continue the legacy.

When asked to describe the Vudu Lounge in one word, Syracuse chose “exquisite.” He said “I was going to choose eclectic, but that’s too cliché” and the Vudu lounge is far from cliché. They have been doing so well that Syracuse has plans to expand if the opportunity presents itself. “I can’t build up or I would. Now it’s just an issue of buying the adjacent properties, so we’ll see” he said.

To summarize, they offer more than just a fine menu and list of drinks; they give diners a glimpse of the eclectic culture of Louisianans fused with a rock and roll vibe. Everyone who stops in has the opportunity to become part of the Vudu Lounge family.

Victory Brewery: 15 Years Of Character

By Leah Skye

            Yesterday evening Victory Brewery and Restaurant of Downingtown, Pa. marked its fifteenth year of business with a celebration that included the first tapping of a new handcrafted beer, the release of new novelty merchandise, and a video dedicated to its loyal fans.

            Amongst the crowd, one could find founders Bill Covaleski and Ron Barchet signing commemorative posters and enjoying the success of the company they began over a decade ago. With a full line of acclaimed unique beers that have become a source of local pride, they certainly have a lot to celebrate.

            The short film entitled “15 Years of Character(s)” started screening at 6:30 p.m. It served as a video homage to Victory fans all over and depicted a variety of customers and friends enjoying the products and sharing their experiences.

            Victory has a dynamic atmosphere that welcomes families, beer connoisseurs and college bar-hoppers alike. With a menu of beer-friendly food from pizza and wings to zesty nachos, anyone that stops in is sure to find something tasty to enjoy. Their new February menu also brought back customer favorites from the past 15 years to celebrate Victory capturing imaginations and titillating the palate. Restaurant regular Julia Szafranski said “The food here is always so fresh. I love it!”

            Victory’s long line of accomplishments in beer crafting and distribution has both a huge local following and an international reach. The business was founded by the childhood friends when they discovered a mutual interest in the art of brewing beer. Covaleski’s father passed down his personal beer-brewing device to his son and from there the journey began.

            The two explored their passion in the late 1980’s by taking trips to Belgium and Germany to learn about both the craft and culture of beer and to discover how it fit into society in places other than Pennsylvania. What they found both surprised and inspired them. "In America at the time, Nancy Reagan's 'Just Say No' campaign against drugs and alcohol was in vogue," said Covaleski. "The national attitude about drinking was pretty negative. Bars were seen as dark places, lit by neon lights and occupied by people of questionable character. In the places we visited in Europe, beer was taken by families. Husbands and wives were enjoying it in the company of their children in the open sunshine at lunch and on picnics.”

            In 1995, the two put their dreams into action when they leased the space on Acorn Lane and opened what is now Victory Brewery and Restaurant. They have since unveiled several successful handcrafted beers sold both nationally and internationally, including HopDevil, Golden Monkey, and St. Victorious.

            Several of their beers have won awards in prestigious competitions. HopDevil took one of only 12 top spots in the Good Food Awards in 2011 and won the silver medal at the Australian International Beer Awards in 2008. In addition, their Prima Pils took home silver medals at both the European BeerStar fest and the Great American Beer Festival in 2007.

            With the celebration came the first tapping and public sampling of their new beer, Victory Headwaters Pale Ale, which like all of the others is crafted and brewed locally. Employee John Mackay described the new creation as “similar to HopDevil, but infused with a summery, lemon twist.” What sets this one apart is that it was named to raise awareness among Chester County residents about the importance fresh water supply and being ecologically friendly. Covaleski said “Stewardship of our water supply becomes a community affair. We hope Headwaters Pale Ale will bring some awareness to county conservation efforts regarding our water supply.”

            In addition to the release of Headwaters, Victory will also be symbolizing their 15 years of success by releasing a new t-shirt in their gift shop on the 15^th of every month. Starting yesterday, one new shirt will be designed and released monthly for the next year.

            Victory’s head chefs were present at the event as well with an impressive display of baking artistry as they unveiled a huge cake designed specifically for the event. Employee Sean Flanagan said “They’ve been preparing this cake for weeks! Our head chefs both designed and crafted the cake, which is pretty amazing.” The cake was enough to feed the hundreds of patrons present for the celebration and included a life-like brewing arsenal atop the triple flavored masterpiece.

            Starting the business was initially difficult for Covaleski and Barchet when building the restaurant addition to the brewery. Covaleski said on his Victory Beer Blog “I remember when they didn't get it. When a host of future neighbors filled the municipal hall of Downingtown to protest…. It was April of 1995 and as we cheaped out on a real attorney for the proceedings, I had to put a suit on and pay a wholly unprepared stooge to frame our side in simpleton terms. And then get attacked….  What Ron and I knew was that brewpubs could be great magnets for community culture and family entertainment and mirth. We just hoped to prove that our brewpub could be these things.”

            Flashing forward, the struggle was well worth it for the two, who have now become respected businessmen and have been called ‘pillars of the community’. “These 'pillars' are made of chicken wings and beer, oddly enough” jokes Covaleski, who explained the joy he feels every time he sees an empty bottle of his beer in a recycling bin. Covaleski and Barchet plan on continuing to build their business and perfect their craft, for both themselves and the local community, for many years to come.

1/25/2011 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS: BARACK OBAMA

Take The Future

By: Leah Skye

            President Barack Obama delivered his State of the Union address to Congress yesterday evening in Washington D.C. to unveil an agenda of technological innovation, education advancement, rebuilding of infrastructure, and national debt reduction.

            There was a focus on pleading for unity between Democratic and Republican legislators on these issues as well as an emphasis on the need for overall improvement to dominate in the future. “We will move forward together, or not at all - for the challenges we face are bigger than party and bigger than politics” he said.

            Obama spent the majority of the hour-long address focusing on the economic recession and reassuring a skeptical American public about plans to reduce the deficit and eliminate wasteful spending. Recognizing that it is a significant issue,  he said "The steps we've taken over the last two years may have broken the back of this recession -- but to win the future, we'll need to take on challenges that have been decades in the making.”

            In addition to proposing a five year freeze on the federal budget, President Obama spoke of cutting corporate tax and healthcare spending reduction in order to consolidate and reorganize. He said “Every day, families sacrifice to live within their means. They deserve a government that does the same.” He also said that the United States can no longer afford tax cuts for the wealthy.  As for future goals, he announced a plan to double exports by 2014 to both increase revenue and provide Americans with more job opportunities.

            As for the healthcare reform, he acknowledged that it could use improvement but was optimistic about the future. Vowing to protect Americans from being exploited by insurance companies, he reinforced that the days of being denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition are now over. The plan is also set to reduce the cost of prescription drugs and allow for children to stay on their parent’s plan for longer.

            A need to reinvent the energy policy became evident in his request for Congress to invest tax dollars previously going to oil companies into biomedical research and clean, reusable energy technology. By 2035, President Obama hopes to have 85 percent of America’s electricity derived from clean energy sources.  

            To attain these new advancements, he introduced an education mandate to restructure the system from an internal standpoint. Calling upon parents, teachers, communities, and school board representatives, Obama urged encouragement of youths to excel in academics, particularly in the fields of science and technology. He said “We need to teach our kids that it’s not just the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to be celebrated, but the winner of the science fair; that success is not a function of fame or PR, but of hard work and discipline.”

To repair inefficient school systems and promote improvement, he introduced the Race To The Top program which is set to offer federal financial support to any school that presents an innovative and creative plan on how to do so. He said he wants to “Replace no child left behind with a law that’s more flexible and focused on what’s best for our kids.”

He briefly discussed feelings about immigration in reference to education by mentioning the hundreds of thousands of international students and illegal immigrants that are educated in American universities. He said “They grew up as Americans and pledge allegiance to our flag, and yet live every day with the threat of deportation - But as soon as they obtain advanced degrees, we send them back home to compete against us. It makes no sense.”

            To improve the general success and quality of life for Americans, which he called the true way to measure progress, Obama said that technological innovations and rebuilding of infrastructure must occur. In an effort to move people, products, and information more efficiently and reliably while attracting foreign investment, he plans to redouble previous efforts and give 80 percent of Americans access to high-speed railroad systems.

 Additionally, noting programs such as Google and Facebook as proud American achievements, a push toward advancement of the digital age and access for everyone is also to be implemented in an effort to keep pace with international competition such as China and South Korea. “We need to out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world” he said.

The theme of moving forward continually resonated throughout the speech. Encouraging cooperation amongst the parties, President Obama said that all should recognize that there is a common goal to be met. He said that although there is a great deal of work ahead, it is because of the American people that the future looks hopeful.